Saturday 19 August 2017

Pierre Paulin: Butterflies Through Other Eyes #34


I recently featured a design classic - BKF's Butterfly Chair (here). The influence of the butterfly in modern design can also be seen in this product - another Butterfly Chair, this time by French furniture/interior designer Pierre Paulin (1927-2009). The chair takes its name from the butterfly-shaped tubular metal framework which supports the leather slings which make up the seat and backrest. The Butterfly Chair was created by Paulin as part of his collaborations with design company Artifort during the 1960s - 70s. The design is possibly a homage to the earlier, but similar iconic BKF/ Hardoy 1938 Butterfly Chair design, which also features a leather sling over a metal framework. Paulin's other chair designs were made using foam and a metal frame covered with stretch materials which were considered both modern and unique and are still highly collectable today. Other famous chair designs by Paulin sought out for their clear lines and body-hugging shapes include the Orange Slice, Ribbon, and Tongue chairs.