Tree of the Field chair

“In human society, the word ‘rooted’ is a compliment, but even those who are deeply rooted can move from place to place. This is not the case with plants. For them, rootedness is their essence. Everything derives from it, and it is what fascinatingly anchors them to the ground, making them so vulnerable, so passive, so easy to exploit and use. Birds nest in them, caterpillars and insects eat their leaves and flesh, people cut them for their needs, pick their fruits, tie swings to them, build playhouses for children in them, drive nails into them, and carve hearts into them. They suffer all in silence. And despite their size and resilience, they are powerless. They cannot flee or fight back… A person with a saw and an axe will conquer even the largest and strongest of trees.”

(Meir Shalev, My Wild Garden).

In the design of a chair, the human dimension is imprinted into the wood. The carving of the wood’s bark texture will remind of its origins and will imprint them back onto the human body as a temporary pressure tattoo. The body’s dimensions, posture, and sitting duration will dictate a different imprint each time. Upon rising from the chair, the creation is revealed and with walking, it will blur, distort, and fade.

Part of the initiative by Tolmans and the Fresh Paint Art Fair TAKE A SEAT: Twenty-four Israeli designers were invited to turn individual chairs into an original and unique creation. In the spirit of the era, they chose to tell a story, provoke thought, and pour new meaning into those chairs through a creative and hopeful action that resonates how life is stronger than everything. The empty chair is charged with deep meaning, resonating even in the current era.

For online purchase and to view all the chairs that participated in the exhibition, click here.