2001
Konstantin Grcic (German, born 1965) Manufactured by ClassiCon (German, founded 1990)
Germany
Discouraged by the uniformity of approaches to sofa design, designer Konstantin Grcic created Chaos. As its name suggests, rather than encouraging users to sit comfortably, Chaos triggers a sense of unease. Although the chair is actually stable, its compact, angular form appears to balance precariously on a thin metal stand, giving the impression that it will tip over if sat on and thus encouraging users to perch rather than recline. As Grcic attested, this is the point: “When I am sitting in front of someone or in a public space, I am more comfortable sitting on the edge of a chair and leaning into a conversation rather than lounging back in my seat.” Envisioned for use in public spaces such as lobbies or waiting rooms, the chair’s forked silhouette was determined by tracing a variety of seating positions into the lines of the design.
Tubular stainless steel, rubber, polyurethane foam, leather, and polyester fiber