Children’s drawings were the starting point for Danish-Italian design duo Gam plus Fratesi’s Antropomorfo chairs.
“These pieces are about the spontaneous, worry-free language of children,” says partner Stine Gam. “We wanted to see if you could translate this spontaneous language into 3D design.”
Resisting the temptation of using bright colours and more obvious children’s materials such as plastic or rubber, the duo played with the conventions of restrained Scandinavian design. “We didn’t want to be completely childish – that’s why we chose a very serious and rigorous tradition,” says Gam. “It makes our chairs stronger if they are not all about playing.”
The use of wood, leather, rope and felt reference designers from the Danish canon such as Hans Wegner and Finn Juhl. “It is important to know the old masters, but we believe in giving tradition a new angle.”
Despite the cartoonish proportions, the detailing is extremely precise. The small buttons embedded in the oversize backrests are intended to bring an element of anthropomorphism, registering perhaps subliminally as faces. “People’s first reaction is usually a smile, the sign of recognition,” says Gam.
Produced by Swedish company Swedese, Antropomorfo will be launched in February at the Stockholm furniture fair.
