The Story of 30 Timeless Chairs – 1950s / 1960s / 1970s


Definition

This work has been designed in order to solve the below mentioned problems:

1) There has not been enough research on the effects of Early Modernism on Architecture. There has been many research about the 1st and 2nd National Architecture Periods however these research fall short on the effects of modernism in interiors and in furniture. Especially periods between 1950-60-70 have few if not none information in our country about Mid-Century Modern Furnitures, even though this topic is widely researched abroad.

2) Furniture Restoration has not been acknowledged as a scientific area as much as architectural restoration, art or architecture restoration. Apart from “Furniture Restoration Atelier” in Dolmabahçe Palace which is specialized in the area of classic palace furniture, there has not been enough scientific applications.  Applications regarding “Mid-Century Modern Furniture” are applied in scarce amount of workshops without scientific definitions and lack of expertise.

3) In developed countries’ universities furniture restoration specialists are having comprehensive education. For instance; in “The University of Amsterdam” there is a program of “Wood and Furniture Restoration” However in Turkey the educational programs that focus on the previous ages’ aesthetic style and production procedures are scarce. The lack of these programs inhibit the possibility of scientific work. Graduates from Interior Architecture and other design related programs don’t recognize the importance of these issues, therefore they do not use them in their professional life.

4) Modern furniture carry historical, aesthetic and economic values. People who do not recognize these values sell out these furniture. Others like set decorators, photographers could who recognize the importance of these furniture could not access them. However furniture that can be defined as cultural heritage objects should constitute an important part of historical and environmental sustainability

This research is thought to be an important step towards solving these problems. This research is also expected to create an awareness in these subjects: The introduction of the characteristics of “Mid-Century Modern Furniture”, creating politics for the protection of these furniture, creating an educational program as a first in Yaşar University Interior Architecture Program, Re-use, Regeneration, Revalorization, Revitalization, Refurbishment, Recycling, Refinish, Repair, Renovation. In this research 30 chosen “Mid-Century Modern Furniture” furniture will be analyzed in terms of design language, production technique and material use. Each furniture will be transformed by documenting the before phase and after phase which is after the required restoration will be made.

 

Funding Organization

BAP – Yaşar University

 

Researchers:

  • Assist. Prof. N. Ebru Aydeniz
  • Lecturer Sergio Taddonio
  • Lecturer Fulya Ballı