the art of chess

subscribe via
email
RSS
facebook
twitter

articles
in brief
in full
charts
this week
this month
all time

the art of chess

'modern chess set', rachel whiteread 2005
all images courtesy of RS&A, london

'the art of chess' is an exhibition of seven chess sets created by a group of contemporary
artist including tracey emin, tom friedman, damien hirst, barbara kruger, yayoi kusama,
alastair mackie and rachel whiteread. each artist infused their own interpretation of the board
game in real dimensions.

the exhibition is set to open on the 49th edition of milan furniture fair on april 14th
at project b gallery, in milan. this event which is part of the fuori salone will be on display
until the may 14th.

'modern chess set', detail of chess pieces

'modern chess set', detail of chess pieces

'untitled', barbara kruger 2006

'untitled', detail of chess pieces

'pumpkin chess', yayoi kusama

'untitled', tom friedman 2005

detail of chess pieces

case housing chess pieces

'amorphous organic', alastair mackie 2008

'amorphous organic' detail of chess pieces

mental escapology, damien hirst 2003

'chess set', tracey emin 2008

fiona db

03.09.10

style! :)

tuan salam 03.09.10

What a fantastic exhibition. But my favourite will always be the knitted chess set, behind me in my office now, that I got from CozyColeman

dumbledad 03.10.10

how fun~! :D

freewillim 03.11.10

wouldn't want to play chess with any of them.

Walt 03.11.10

I would like Barbara Kruger's design, without the unnecessary (yet seemingly obligatory within the modern art scene) screaming photo

C.Skye.D. 03.11.10

have to agree with Walt

noneed 03.12.10

I guess there must be a market for this mindless tat, but I wouldn't file it under 'art'

cheapandexpensive 03.12.10

All of those are just plain butt-ugly.

VonZorch 03.13.10

i want the afro chess

riky 03.13.10

very interesting

loukwo 03.15.10

I notice that the comments tell more about the commentors than about the chess sets, "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like". Which is a valid point. Walt and Noneed are right: all of the sets are difficult if not down right unplayable, which is what makes them art. They are not chess sets, but are about chess sets.

DWB 03.16.10

DWB, does knowing more about art make you more of an artist? how do you know you know more about art? How can anyone know more about 'art' anyway? This kind of mines bigger than yours mentality was a big trend in the mid 2000's, but is it still relevant in 2010?
are the pieces really 'about' chess? or just some cheap cash in, spreading even thinner a brand aesthetic, and telling us a lot about the artists inscrutability and little else
Im all for 'if I say its art, it is', but to me this all looks like a desperate pastiche of former glories.
Hey, hang on, I think Im selling it back to myself here..:-)

datedpastiche 03.16.10

wow these are fantastic pieces of work. my favorite peice is the "jack and dinos chest set" with the light and dark skinned human bodies as chess peices. I love the afros!

emily-onekindofgirl 03.16.10

Modern Art's Recipe for Success:

1. Create a deliberately obscure aesthetic vocabulary that no one without a master's degree in art can understand.
2. Create incomprehensible art.
3. Feel superior to uneducated masses.
4. Complain that people don't understand your art.
5a. Find agent to "sell" incomprehensible art to insecure rich people for a 40% cut; or,
5b. Apply for public funding.
6. Profit!

rocinante 03.16.10

amazing

samira 03.16.10

Wonderful exhibition.....very creative and thought provoking.....even if you donot love the game of chess...it still can make for interesting conversation...

Artgirl 03.17.10

chess (3 articles)

peter marigold at london design week 2010

design | 09.13.10

as a part of this year's london design week, peter marigold shows some of his most recent works at two different shows in the city.

brent blake: electric chess set

design | 08.12.10

plug bases, sockets, bulbs and ceramic elements are the main components of this electric chess set.

front:'blow away' vase and chess table for mo

design | 05.11.09

the digitalized version of a royal delft vase has been given new parameters for the material and is there after exposed of simulated wind.

milan design week 2010 (204 articles)

tokujin yoshioka for kartell: the invisibles

design | 06.01.10

'I am drawn by things that do not have forms, but leave an emotional effect on people. at a glance, such material is invisible and its existence is erased. through the interaction with light, however, the form sudd...

claesson koivisto rune: portico

design | 05.26.10

'portico' furniture designs draw from the architectural structure of ancient roman aqueduct arches, paying tribute to their rhythmic repetition and geometry.

sebastian errazuriz: sinapsi for HORM

design | 05.25.10

initially conceived through the study of cells and brain synapsis, 'sinapsi' offers a form that can be repeated and flexibly re-rearranged for different user needs.

morie nishimura: furniture of praye

READER'S SUBMISSION using traditional forms, these pieces are designed to recreate the sense of gathering around a fireplace.

a tiny flashlight for the opera

READER'S SUBMISSION a tiny flashlight hidden within the shape of a ring is designed for audiences to read program booklets during theatrical performances.

india design forum: save chand

architecture

considered le corbusier's 'crowning work' the architecture, chandigarh has been been suffering from years of neglect and contro...

superbowl commercial for chevy

design

OK Go, champion skateboarder rob dyrdek, and millions of online watchers interact with the 'chevy sonic'
in this year's...

RENAULT 4 ever behind-the-scenes

DESIGNBOOM COMPETITIONS thousands of you entered from across the world; now take an exclusive video look

'horsey' by eungi kim

DESIGNBOOM COMPETITIONS 'horsey' by eungi kim from korea is one of the shortlisted design entries from m

SELFPROMO - january 17 - march 17

DESIGN - AEROBICS how to present yourself in a creative world. different approaches to make sure your work is brought to the attention of the people that 'matter'...

POP UP - january 17 - march 17

DESIGN - AEROBICS don’t blink or you’ll miss it! in this course we’ll look at temporary structures, from living quarters and exhibition stands to container stores...

339,576 subscribers

keep up to date with recent articles and upcoming events.
to receive both newsletters please check 2 boxes.

© copyrights 2000 - 2012 designboom, all rights reserved. all material published remains the exclusive copyright of designboom.
no contents, including text, photographs, videos, etc. may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of designboom. in addition,
no material or contents may be reproduced on the world wide web by techniques of mirroring, framing, posting, etc. without the written consent of designboom.