Day One of the no-chocolate-diet gets off to a testing start as I gaze longingly at the melty deliciousness of Choco Chair by Trix and Robert Haussmann. Mind you, the sculpture was made in 1967, so it probably wouldn’t taste too good if I was to lick it now. Stay strong.
The chair is a very early piece from the couple who have been experimenting with architecture and design for more than 50 years. Their practice is marked by their presentation of objects as a source of meaning, rather than as functional or even aesthetic objects, and there is often a disruption to or destruction of the item’s form from its function, or vice versa – chairs that can’t be sat on are a favourite, as are doors that subvert expectations.
The Hausmanns have been looking through the Röthlisberger Collection in Switzerland to personally select eight of their favourite experimental pieces from 1967-1988 for an exhibition at Kunsthalle Fri Art in Freiburg. They have also been back in the studio to add 10 new mirror works to the collection, and you can view the show in its entirety until 15 June.
Trix & Robert Haussmann
Neon Chair Reconstruction, 2011
Photo © Primula Bosshard
Trix & Robert Haussmann
Opus Focus Pocus, 1982
Photo © Primula Bosshard
Trix & Robert Haussmann
Sideboard Intarsia, 1992
Trix & Robert Haussmann
Lehrstueck, 1978
Trix & Robert Haussmann
Lehrstueck, 1983-84
Photo © Primula Bosshard
Trix & Robert Haussmann
Trio, 1967
Photo © Primula Bosshard
