Playing Seriously - Architecture and Design in Vitra's Universe

through January 30 '11

Danish Architecture Centre
Copenhagen

The Danish Architecture Centre presents 'Playing Seriously', an exhibition telling the story behind the furniture creations of Vitra; via personal stories, film, tableaus, furniture and architecture models. The show aims to provide a narration of Vitra’s design universe and the mutual connection between their architecture and furniture.

The name behind a wide range of modern classics: Vitra has become one of the most interesting design companies through its leadership in the field. At once both furniture manufacturer and talent spotter, Vitra has been a launch pad for many well known names; such as architect Zaha Hadid, designer Hella Jongerius and furniture designer Verner Panton. It is perhaps the 'Panton Chair' which has become Vitra's most recognised icon, and which is now celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Panton first began to work on the idea of a cantilevered plastic chair made in one piece around 1959/60, hardly anticipating that it would take almost a decade to realize this idea. Panton was unable to find any manufacturers willing to produce his idiosyncratic creations, however in 1967, it reached the manufacturing stage and became the first product developed independently by Vitra who believed in this new design.

The title of the exhibition attempts to express the work ethic at Vitra, in keeping with and continuously inspired by Charles & Ray Eames’ motto ’playing seriously.’

The Danish architecture centre says;
"Vitra explores the relations between life and work, functionality and experimental play...
For Vitra, the project idea is about to daring to ask the question: how can we integrate serious playing in our work to find the best solution?"

Vitra
Danish Architecture Centre

The Panton Chair. Photo: Ari Marcopoulos, Vitra ©

Vitra Home Collection and Vitra Design Museum. Photo: Tobias Mandorin, Vitra ©

Herzog & de Meurons VitraHaus. Photo: Leon Chew, Vitra ©