20 Designers Alice Babidge + Robin Hearfield Tracey Deep George Livissianis Ryan Storer Design by Toko Megan Morton Dinosaur Designs Adam Goodrum Bassike Hecker Guthrie Zambesi Akira Isogawa Henry Wilson Arent + Pyke Mika Utzon Popov Fiona Lynch Christopher Boots Kamahi Djordon King Shilo Engelbrecht David Trubridge
Cult
Chairity Project
Richard Munao Founder & Managing Director Cult
2015 marks the 60th Anniversary of the 3107, Series 7 Chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen. In celebration of this special event, we invited 20 creative talents to bravely reinterpret this design classic. For our 2nd Chairity Project we have extended the program and online auction to 3 weeks, that will run alongside a travelling exhibition to our three states; Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. In doing so, we hope to raise even more money for the 20 charities on-board for this celebration of creativity bringing together art and design, fashion and graphics, painting and photography. Extending our reach beyond only the design community has been such a rewarding experience for Cult and the support that all of our creatives have brought to this project is so admirable and we simply could not have achieved this without their generous support – so thank you to all. I am thrilled that Cult together with our partner Fritz Hansen could facilitate this unique and exciting event.
Happy bidding! galabid.com/chairityproject2015
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Jacob Holm President & CEO Fritz Hansen A/S
Fritz Hansen
In 1955, Arne Jacobsen set a new standard for chair design when he created Series 7™ - a design fit for the future. For eternity, some would say. The most sold stackable chair in design history, it has become a style icon and is seen by many as one of the finest examples of timeless design. It has remained popular for six decades – a period of profound changes in technology, culture and lifestyle. Series 7™ has now reached its 60th Anniversary and is still in perfect shape to continue its journey towards new generations with new demands and new standards for design. To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Series 7™, we are honoured to have the opportunity to work with Cult alongside 20 of the top Australian and New Zealand designers who had complete freedom to reinvent the Series 7™ for the Chairity Project 2015. We are excited for the reinvented Series 7™ to take a new journey to be exhibited in three Australian states.
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Arne Jacobsen
Arne Jacobsen (1902-71), architect and designer was educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in Copenhagen. He began his relationship with Fritz Hansen in 1934, but it was not until 1952 that the designer had a break-through with his Ant chair; this was shortly succeeded by the iconic Series 7 chair in 1955. Both the Ant chair and the Series 7 chair propelled his name into furniture history where Arne was very productive, both as an architect and
as a designer. At the end of the 19v50’s Arne Jacobsen designed the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, and for that project the Egg, the Swan, the Swan sofa and Series 3300. Arne Jacobsen was and is an admired and outstanding designer. While the significance of Arne Jacobsen’s buildings was less appreciated, his furniture and other design work have become national and international heritage.
Alice Babidge & Robin Hearfield
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Material Framed Polaroids Instagram @alicebabidge @robinhearfield
Charity
St Vincent de Paul Women and Children’s Refuge Inner West
The deeply recognisable lines of the Series 7 chair were our starting point for the Chairity Project 2015. The curves of the silhouette cast a shadow that make it an instantly familiar object. Our aim was to abstract this and reduce the chair to its base form to expose a more thoughtful perspective of the silhouette. The fundamental elements of the chair’s design
are put into the spotlight, where we have made the chair the performer. Through physical motion and varied photographic techniques we distorted the form, only to be constantly reminded of its strengths as an iconic piece of design.
Providing crisis accommodation for up to three months for women and children escaping domestic violence and/ or at risk of homelessness. The staff are trained and have experience supporting families in crisis and provide safe accommodation with private rooms and shared utilities. Supporting guests in identifying needs such as Centrelink benefits, housing, immigration issues, education, health, and counselling and art therapy. The refuge services are committed to facilitating lives free from violence and abuse, raising community awareness and providing all women and children access to the opportunities enjoyed by the wider community, empowering women and children to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives, and honouring women’s dignity, integrity and capacity for change.
Tracey Deep
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Material: Rope Instagram: @floralsculptures
Charity
Australia for UNHCR Australia for UNHCR is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing life-changing humanitarian support to refugees and other displaced and stateless people who are supported by the United Nations Refugee Agency (The UN Refugee Agency). We achieve this by raising funds for UNHCR’s international humanitarian operations. UNHCR is almost entirely funded by direct, voluntary contributions mostly from donor countries but also increasingly from individual citizens around the world, the private sector, and foundations and trusts. Our fundraising support helps UNHCR respond to humanitarian emergencies when they occur.
What excites me about re-imagining the Series 7 chair is creating something from such an inspiring, iconic piece of design. I love the challenge of working with the ‘S’ curve and my intention is to give the chair a layer of texture and pattern, creating something that is a celebration of the ‘S’. My chosen charity is the UN refugee Agency (UNHCR); I feel very strongly about the rights and well-being of refugees and
believe that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in another country. I always believe people should be treated with respect, dignity and with open hearts.
George Livissianis
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Material Neon Website georgelivissianis.com
Charity
Fred Hollows Foundation Through the generosity of people like you, The Fred Hollows Foundation has worked with organisations around the world to restore sight to over one million people since its establishment in 1992. In the coming year, we will be busy with new initiatives in Africa, the Pacific, throughout South-East Asia and with our Indigenous communities here in Australia.
At first I thought one chair would be a little lonely so I started thinking about what else we could do with the chair – beyond it being a seat. The silhouette of the Series 7 chair is so iconic, somewhere, somehow the idea of neon came into the equation and we ended up with
a neon silhouette. I have chosen to support the Fred Hollows Foundation – there is an obvious connection between light and sight, and to top it off Fred also shared a great passion for furniture and craftsmanship.
Ryan Storer
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Material Leather, Crystals Instagram @ryanstorer Website ryanstorer.com
Charity
AIME AIME is a dynamic educational program that is proven to support Indigenous students through high school and into university, employment or further education at the same rate as all Australian students. AIME gives Indigenous students the skills, opportunities, belief and confidence to grow and succeed.
I have selected AIME, an educational program that supports Indigenous students through high school and on to university or employment through mentorship and support. There is so much talent in the youth of our Indigenous communities that needs to be acknowledged and nurtured. My final years of high school were in a small community in Far North Queensland and far too often I would see friends fall short of
progressing in their education - due to a lack of support or the confidence to pursue more than the bare minimum. A program like AIME can provide Indigenous students the skills, opportunities, belief and confidence to grow and succeed. And so participating in the Chairity Project 2015 and reinterpreting the classic Series 7 chair has been such a pleasure, I hope to raise a lot for my charity.
Design by Toko
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Material Acrylic polymer Canvas Instagram @designbytoko Website designbytoko.com
Charity
We’re Better Than This We’re Better Than This is a non-political, grassroots movement for ordinary Australians keen to do something about the cruelty of children in detention camps. Among its founders are Australians who’ve been actively dedicated to the cause since 2001. The Keating Government introduced mandatory detention of asylum seekers in 1992. Successive Australian Governments on both sides have continued the inhumane and indefinite detention of helpless, traumatised children.
The strength of the Series 7 chair is its ability to blend in and “disappear”. We emphasised this quality by applying a pattern to the chair, which is repeated on an accompanying painting. The result: a barely visible chair… you know it’s there but you can’t see it. This notion of “invisibility” ties back to our chosen charity “we’re better than this”, a non-political, grassroots movement keen to
do something about the cruelty of children in Australian detention camps. Our chair is as invisible as the children institutionalised in our government detention centres… you know ‘they’ are there but you can’t see them.
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Megan Morton
Material Headphones Book iPod Instagram @megan_morton Website meganmorton.com
Charity
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) protects and upholds the human rights, wellbeing and dignity of asylum seekers. ASRC are the largest provider of aid, advocacy and health services for asylum seekers in Australia. Most importantly, at times of despair and hopelessness, we offer comfort, friendship, hope and respite.
The Series 7 chair is the most covetable, highly-referenced piece of useable-livingand-breathing design ever made. The Chairity Project allows me to honour this icon, and at first glance, deliberately I have left it alone. But it is not until you sit on this masterpiece and explore its underside – the almost invisible intervention is revealed. My reinterpretation delves into the metaphoric joys of seven of the most cherished fairy
tales assisted by two other Great Danes, Hans Christian Anderson and Bang & Olufsen. Read by Anna Utzon, for your ears only. Whoever takes this multi-media piece home we hope you and your loved ones enjoy it knowing you have helped the important work of the ASRC. We have left Arne Jacobsen’s chair as is, so you and your loved ones can make it your own and enjoy your own stories from it.
Dinosaur Designs
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Material Resin Instagram @dinosaur_designs Website dinosaurdesigns.com.au
Charity
The Redfern Foundation The Redfern Foundation was formed in 1998 to support the Aboriginal community in the inner city of Sydney. Our goal is to promote the creation of an Aboriginal community that is healthy, self-supporting and a source of hope, pride and leadership both to its own members and for the wider Australian community – both indigenous and nonindigenous.
We chose to support The Redfern Foundation as a way to give back to the local community. Their aim is to help key local Aboriginal groups build the skills, strength and resilience they need to create sustainable, positive social infrastructure that in turn
promotes social, educational and employment equity. We look forward to the challenge of reinterpreting the design of the Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen – a design that we love so much.
Adam Goodrum
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Material Straw Marquetry by Arthur Seigneur Instagram: @adamgoodrumstudio Website adamgoodrum.com
Charity
Surf Aid Surf Aid is a non-profit humanitarian organisation who aim is to improve the health, wellbeing and selfreliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.
I have collaborated with French artisan Arthur Seigeur who is one of a handful of people in the world who practises straw marquetry. Erotic art work inspired by model Christine Keeler’s scandalous affair, the glamorous swinging 60’s and Malika Favre’s wonderful illustrations. The straw marquetry from a distance reads as a traditional decorative inlay, but upon closer viewing reveals a tangle of lewd acts! I chose Surf
Aid as my charity because I have done a lot of surfing in remote parts of Indonesia, and I have got to know the wonderful organisation and the things they do in regards to helping small communities with good drinking water and nets for malaria and they just do so many great things.
Bassike
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Material Leather Icelandic Sheepskin Instagram @bassike Website bassike.com
Charity
Mirabel The Mirabel Foundation assists children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use and are now in the care of extended family. Mirabel’s vision is the belief that ‘every child deserves a childhood’ and our mission is to break the destructive cycle of addiction. Mirabel supports children aged 0-17 years and works at restoring a child’s sense of self-worth, belonging and hope for the future in order for them to reach their full potential as young adults. detention of helpless, traumatised children.
We are honoured to be involved in the 2015 series of the Cult ‘Chairity Project’ for the second year in a row and are thrilled to be working with the Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen. It is always such an exciting project to be involved in with Cult Design and we enjoy the challenge of
applying our craft to a different field of design. Our reinvented Series 7 chair will raise funds for a charity that is close to our hearts, the Mirabel Foundation; their important mission assists children who have been orphaned due to parental illicit drug abuse.
Hecker Guthrie
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Material Timber work by Mortice & Tenon Instagram @heckerguthrie Website heckerguthrie.com
Charity
My Room My Room was founded 22 years ago, and together with the CCCF, which was founded out of My Room, has contributed $42.1 million to the Children’s Cancer Centre at the Royal Children’s Hospital in support of their clinical, research and building requirements. My Room continues to support the Children’s Cancer Centre through the provision of specialist social workers, investment in research and support for the children and families at the Children’s Cancer Centre.
The iconic Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen was designed as the perfect everyday chair for the masses. It is Fritz Hansen’s best-selling chair and we wanted to transform the chair into a piece that would appeal
to the aristocrat in all of us. Our reworking of this chair is inspired by the Sedan chair of 18th Century Europe; “Why walk, when you can sit!”
Zambesi
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Material Deer Nappa Leather Instagram: @zambesisince79 Website Zambesi.co.nz
Charity
Cure Kids Our mission is to improve the health of children through research and its outcomes. At Cure Kids, our purpose is simple. Every single day, we’re driven to find cures for the lifethreatening illnesses that affect many of our children. of helpless, traumatised children.
The Zambesi ‘Backbone’ chair was upholstered in a unique glace New Zealand deer nappa which is part of our the Autumn/Winter 2016 collections. The leather was cut to fit the chair with a fused button detail applied to create the ‘Backbone’. We enjoyed the creative process immensely and we are proud to be associated with the Cult re-inpretation of the iconic Series 7 chair for The Chairity Project 2015.
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Akira Isogawa
Material Self-Designed and Printed Fabric Instagram @akiraisogawa Website akira.com.au
Charity
Voiceless Voiceless is an independent, non-profit think tank focused on raising awareness of animals suffering in factory farming and the kangaroo industry in Australia. Our vision is for a world in which animals are treated with respect and compassion.
The Chairity Project is not only for a good cause, it also presents a great opportunity to see our design applied in a different media. Our chosen charity, Voiceless, is a community of informed and passionate animal advocates working together to make a difference. I became a member of the Voiceless council and have been supporting it since it was established to protect animals that are treated unlawfully by growing animal law, raising awareness and conducting research.
Henry Wilson
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Material Marble Instagram @henrywilsonstudio Website henrywilson.com.au
Charity
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Guide Dogs NSW/ACT exists to enhance the quality of life of people who are blind or have impaired vision, by assisting in their achievement of independence through access and mobility. We believe they have equal rights to other people, and respect their right for human dignity.reach their full potential as young adults. detention of helpless, traumatised children.
For me, beauty is a resolved outcome. The execution of the design should tell the story of its process and function. and the Chairity Project is an exciting challenge for this. Having a dog as a companion has always been a wonderful experience for me. I can only imagine the bond between a guide dog
and their partner. In the face of ever increasing technology and medical breakthroughs I find it comforting that the trusty pup can still be of such significant service to humankind.
Arent + Pyke
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Material Pencil Drawing and Watercolour Instagram @arentpyke_inout Website arentpyke.com
Charity
The Kids’ Cancer Project The Kids’ Cancer Project is inspired by one man who promised to find the cure for childhood cancer. Founded in 1993, The Kids’ Cancer Project is one of the largest funders of childhood cancer research in Australia. The Kids’ Cancer Project is independent and not aligned to one institution, they support research that is collaborative and has the greatest chance of clinical success. Cancer Centre.
The iconic Series 7 chair designed by Arne Jacobsen is an all-time favourite of ours. We collaborated with artist Tania Rollond, using her delicate drawings to transform the chair, and it was these themes of the tracery of life that we wanted to depict. Like organic erratic longhand, it flows over the surface, and we approached the legs with this same attention to detail. The Series 7, a global
legend, is now the canvas for storytelling of another kind. The Kids’ Cancer Project is independent and not aligned to one institution and it is this collaborative support research that has the greatest chance of clinical success and as we both have young families, this charity deeply resonated with the two of us.
Mika Utzon Popov
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Material Polished Metal Framed Photograph Instagram @mikautzonpopov Website mikautzonpopov.com
Charity
Medecins Sans Frontieres Médecins Sans Frontières is the world’s leading independent organisation for medical humanitarian aid. Every day more than 24,000 Médecins Sans Frontières field staff are providing assistance to people caught in crises around the world. Every year around one hundred Australians and New Zealanders are sent to and supported in the field by Médecins Sans Frontières Australia. MSF field staff includes doctors, nurses, administrators, epidemiologists, laboratory technicians, mental health professionals, logistics and water and sanitation experts.
Being a Dane in Australia allows me to observe the natural contrasts between the two environments, in that Denmark is a very controlled environment, whereas in Australia we live on the premise of nature where we are allowed to sit in the platform of nature – and I am regularly reminded that we are very fragile in this Australian environment. This juxtaposition is the premise of my
reinterpretation of the Series 7 chair. I have chosen Medecins Sans Frontieres because they are founded on the concept that all people are entitled to medical care no matter race, religion, creed or political affiliation. An important foundation to our current global crisis response.
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Fiona Lynch
Material Mirror Lightbulb and Cord Instagram @fionalynchoffice Website fionalynch.com.au
Charity
Western Chances Western Chances believes in the power of education to transform lives. We give young people in Melbourne’s west the chance to fulfill their potential and overcome barriers to success.
Western Chances is a programme that supports young people who face barriers that often result in an inability to purchase essential items to continue their study. CEO Ryhll Dorrington invited me to one of their functions, where I met some of their young recipients
and I was been amazed at some of the challenges these young people have faced and overcome. My own experience of studying was very different to this and so I would like to support this Charity.
Christopher Boots
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Material Quartz Crystal Instagram @christopherboots Website christopherboots.com
Charity
Victorian AIDS Council VAC was formed in 1983 as a central part of the Victorian community response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. VAC continues to lead the response by providing a range of services which include prevention education, treatment and care of PLHIV and counselling services. We continue to evolve in response to the epidemic with robust business systems and an everchanging strategic response and continuing dedication to our vision and service philosophy.
Gut instinct – I knew exactly what I wanted to do the moment I saw the chair! That is, hybridise my work with this beautiful design classic. I’ve chosen the Victorian AIDS Council for many reasons, among them the need to educate the broader community about this epidemic we are collectively on the verge of moving beyond, which makes these times really exciting and we are going to witness the achievement of an
incredible goal, decades on. Remembering those who have fallen before us, making our lives easier and honouring the hard work they did for years fighting for visibility. The Chairity Project will entail a personal journey of reflection on what this means, how I can do more for the community, and begin a more active involvement in philanthropy, along with some hard work to ensure my chair raises the most money!
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Kamahi Djordon King
Material Acrylic Paint Instagram @kamahi
Charity
Heart Foundation NT The Heart Foundation saves lives and improves health through funding world-class cardiovascular research, guidelines for health professionals, informing the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease. As a charity, the Heart Foundation relies on donations and gifts to continue its lifesaving research and health education work.
I am participating in the Chairity Project because I will be showing alongside beautiful artists and designers for a good cause. Also the thought of raising money for a charity that is close to my heart (pun intended) like the Heart Foundation in the
Northern Territory means that they will have a little extra in order to be able to do healthy heart workshops in a community that they might not have been able to reach.
Shilo Engelbrecht
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Material Acrylic Paint Timber Screen Instagram @shiloengelbrect Website shilo.net.au
Charity
HEART: Healing and education through the arts Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. STC give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. The HEART program is a new education approach that brings the proven power of artistic expression – drawing, painting, music, drama, dance and more – to children in need around the world. HEART helps children heal emotionally and learn critical skills, so they can achieve their highest potential.
I’m excited by the creative freedom of the project to reinvent the iconic Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen. I’ve chosen to support HEART, a charity that helps children who have experienced turmoil and have limited opportunities to heal emotionally and engage in education.
David Trubridge
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Material Laser Cut detail Instagram @davidtrubridge Website davidtrubridge.com
Charity
Kids of Kathmandu Kids of Kathmandu believes that healthy, educated children are the key to a healthy, educated world. Through projects focused on education, nutrition, medicine, clean water, and clean energy, today’s children and tomorrow’s generation will begin to affect positive change throughout Nepal.
I am participating in The Chairity Project because I strongly believe that design should be about more than just consuming fetish objects, design can be a vehicle for social change and an expression of our care for humanity and our environment. I have chosen Kids for Kathmandu because I have previously worked with them and know they are a very caring charity. When approaching my reinterpretation of the iconic Series
7 chair, there are two main themes: 1) Modernism – the chair a mid-century modernist design marries form and function. Whereby today our approach to aesthetics is different; patterning is an acceptable antidote to the blandness. 2) Authenticity – a major issue in Australia due to copyright protection laws; so my chair has my own fingerprint, making it mine only.
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As seen in Vogue Living November Issue
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Thank You
Thank you to our creatives for their vision and execution in reinterpreting the iconic Series 7 chair. Cult together with the Republic of Fritz Hansen are proud to Media Partner with the team at Vogue Living for our Chairity Project 2015.
The photoshoot featured on these pages are from the November issue of Vogue Living where our creative community came together at the Cult Sydney showroom to share their finished designs. A big thank you to all who were involved.
Sponsors
The end
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