the art chairs.
Icons of the 80s, well known – but very rare: These side chairs by Pierre Sala come from a limited edition, presented at the International Design Fair 1983 in Cologne. The design of the chairs resembles the archetype of the simple kitchen chair. The backrests are made entirely of straight planks, featuring various individual cut-outs. The striking impact: The entire chair is used as a canvas. At first glance, the precisely placed areas of colour are reminiscent of maritime signal flags, but the three-dimensionality then transforms the chairs into sculptures somewhere between minimalism and Pop Art. Or simply: French Postmodern Fun (hence the names, from Piranha to Unicorn).
Pierre Sala (1948-1989) actually was based in the world of theatre: Beginning as a set designer he became author, director and producer in 70’s Paris, presenting experimental and innovative performances. In 1981, he began designing furniture: ‘Clairefontaine’, a desk in the shape of an open spiral-bound notebook, with pencil-shaped legs, plus a matching stool. And a whole range of the wonderful ‘Side Chairs’ featuring geometric patterns – like these we have on offer.
Sala was one of the designers supported in the early 1980s by the French Ministry of Industry through the VIA initiative (VIA Valorisation de l’innovation dans l’ameublement). The ‚Piranha‘ chair was shown in VIA’s „Geste d’art“ exhibition in 2000; the ‚Clairefontaine‘ table was specifically listed in VIA’s historical Design 3.0 exhibition in the Centre Pompidou in 2009 and the Centre’s collection includes also Pierre Sala’s Étagère “Nids d’aigle” (1981). In 2022 the MAD (Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris) included Sala in the exhibition “Années 80. Mode, design et graphisme en France”. The CNAP Collection du Centre national des arts plastiques has three chairs and a ‚clairefontaine‘ table.
A very rare set of four side chairs, numbered, dated and signed. These chairs were bought together in Munich in the 1980s and spent their first few years in a film director’s meeting room. From there, they moved to the Côte d’Azur, where they have been inseparable for 40 years…
Good original condition, with distinct wear consistent with age and use. Limited Edition of 250 chairs each, Atelier Pierre Sala, lacquered wood. seat height: 42 cm, Height: 90 cm × Width: 42 cm × Depth: 41 cm
piranha, 83/250, 1983, red, white and black
licorne, 21/250, 1983, yellow, red and white
heure de loup, 33/250, 1983, white, blue and red
oiseau rare 2, 15/250, 1982, blue, green and white
Pierre Sala
Monography by Ivan Mietton, Pierrick Lonjou & Théo Caviezel, Editions Hors Champ
