Christie's Beverly Hills Exhibits 50 Redefined Chairs

Christie's Beverly Hills is set to host a selling exhibition titled "50 Chairs" from September 25 to September 30, showcasing 50 distinct chairs curated in partnership with the marketplace Basic.Space. This exhibition aims to redefine the concept of a chair by presenting a diverse collection that spans unconventional materials such as antlers, steel, balloons, cardboard boxes, and resin. The collection features both famous and unique designs, including pieces with notable former owners, highlighting the potential for reinvention within even the most fundamental furniture items. Basic.Space founder and CEO Jesse Lee stated that the chairs are united not by a specific style or period, but by their inherent interest and uniqueness, offering a novel approach to acquiring design objects. Lee further elaborated that the selection includes items ranging from highly collectible to more commercially oriented, all characterized by their authentic individuality.

The exhibition's eclectic offerings include a rare cowhide Eames LCW chair, contributed by the Eames Foundation, and the Gufram Pratone, a distinctive green armchair designed in 1971 to resemble grass, provided by the Los Angeles studio BASA. Notable contributions from prominent designers include a Stag Stool by fashion designer Rick Owens, crafted using an actual moose antler, and a hammered-brass chair by Philippe Hiquily, presented by designer Kelly Wearstler, who recently launched a collection for H&M Home. The "50 Chairs" exhibition is open for viewing by appointment at Christie's Beverly Hills, providing an opportunity for collectors and design enthusiasts to engage with these redefined seating objects. The chairs will be viewable by appointment at Christie’s Beverly Hills from September 25 to 30. The exhibition is being put on in partnership with the marketplace Basic.Space, which curated the collection. Basic.Space founder and CEO Jesse Lee tells Fast Company that these pieces are not united by a particular style or period—and they aren’t a group you’d usually see together. They’re united by being 50 of the most interesting chairs from around the world, come together under one roof, offering a new way to buy design. Lee adds that some pieces are ‘collectible,’ while others are more commercial, but they’re all authentically unique and interesting. The eclectic offerings include an Eames LCW by Charles and Ray Eames in a rare cowhide that was contributed by the Eames Foundation, and the Gufram Pratone, a green armchair designed in 1971 to look like grass, contributed by the L.A. studio BASA. Teamwork Chair by Playlab Inc. is a nonfunctional seat that is made from a variety of materials. The exhibition aims to challenge conventional notions of furniture design and collectibility, presenting chairs as art objects with unique stories and innovative forms. The partnership between Christie's and Basic.Space underscores the growing interest in the market for collectible design, particularly pieces that push creative boundaries and offer a distinct aesthetic. The curated selection promises a visually stimulating experience, inviting viewers to reconsider the potential of everyday objects.