Exploded Chair By Joyce Lin

As both an artwork and conceptual design piece, Exploded Chair by Joyce Lin straddles the line between art and function. The artist and designer is influenced by “ideas on inter-connectivity, isolation, and the ever-shifting relationship between humans and the natural world,” but also interested in creating functional, interactive and playful objects and sculptures. Like all the other ingenious and creative designs completed by Lin, this specific work illustrates that intention beautifully.

At a glance and from a distance, the deconstructed chair defies gravity and logic. Stepping closer, viewers discover that the pieces, disjointed and brought back together, occupy separate clear boxes. Placed at different angles, the maple sections create the illusion of movement. The seat and upper backrest are the only ones remaining completely level above the floor. The thought-provoking design challenges the concept of stability and function while also providing a creative take on the relationship between natural and artificial. Photo credits: Joyce Lin.