1 2 3 FOR MOLTENI, 2024
The 1 2 3 chair embodies a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort, emphasising the essence of colour and the purity of materials. Its name whimsically reflects the process of finding the ideal balance in the number of vertical slats adorning the backrest. After thoughtful consideration and testing, three slats were chosen, resulting in a structure that exudes elegance and lightness, embodying a refined synthesis of design principles.
“I've always been drawn to chairs with open backs,” explains Michael Anastassiades, shedding light on the inspiration behind his creation. The absence of material in such chairs imbues them with visual lightness. This guiding concept led the designer on a journey of exploration, culminating in the selection of three precisely arranged vertical slats within a solid beech frame. Crafted and lacquered with care, the chair showcases seamless joinery techniques, enhancing its minimalist aesthetic.
“Three slats also establish a rhythmic harmony, creating a subtle separation between the seated individual and the surrounding environment.”
In a February 1957 article in Time magazine about furniture designed by architects, Mies Van Der Rohe said: “A chair is a very difficult object. A skyscraper is almost easier. That is why Chippendale is famous.”
I have always found empty backs on chairs more attractive, perhaps it is the fact that the physical absence of material makes them visually lighter. Or that a simple tracing of its outline makes it more recognisable and probably more iconic. My mediation between “lightness” and comfort started as a simple exercise of finding an optimal number of vertical stats that could provide enough comfort but at the same time, maintain lightness and elegance of an almost transparent back. One being too little and Two still too precious, I decided to settle for Three. Also, Three was the minimum number required to create a rhythm as a screen separating the seater from his backdrop.
1 2 3 is a simplified version of the classic slat back chair. Made entirely out of wood, its refined sections and invisible structure, elevate the chair from its usually modest appearance. Its lacquer finish complements its minimal form in combination with a leather cushioned seat of similar colour. In its first presentation the two colours selected are a deep burgundy and a dark petroleum blue.
