Ray Komai (American, 1918-2010). Side Chair, ca. 1949. Molded walnut plywood, chromed metal, rubber, 30 1/2 x 22 x 22 1/4 in. (77.5 x 55.9 x 56.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred T. and Caroline S. Zoebisch Fund, 1994.156.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.156.1_bw.jpg)
Date: 1949
Designer: Ray Komai
Place of Origin: Brooklyn, New York
Crafted from molded 5-ply walnut-faced plywood, the walnut-faced chair features a single-piece seat and back with a triangular opening at their juncture, extending into a vertical slit along the back. Held together by a horizontal metal bar secured with circular disks, the design reflects Komai’s interest in origami and draws inspiration from Charles and Ray Eames, as well as abstract artists like Picasso and Klee.
Komai’s innovative design, born from a meeting around 1948 where he folded a piece of paper into the chair’s form, stands as a testament to his multifaceted creative prowess, combining graphic design sensibilities with a profound appreciation for diverse artistic influences.
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