American Art Side Chair Made in Tokyo, Japan, Asiac. 1916-35 Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, American, 1867 - 1959 Oak * Gallery 49, Modern and Contemporary Art, ground floor 1970-172-1 Gift of the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, 1970 |
LabelDesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright for the banquet room of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, the hexagonal profile of this side chair corresponded to the hexagonal motifs in the room's cornice and ceiling. The modern blue upholstery imitates remnants of the original, which complemented the room's painted wall decoration of stylized peacocks. Wright's extensive Imperial Hotel complex melded indigenous Japanese architectural motifs with the fundamentals of his own style. The chairs were generally too small and fragile to withstand constant use, especially by large visitors, and were frequently broken. Even removed from its original context, the anthropomorphic design stands out as a sculptural achievement.* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit. |
