AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta

the chairs turn into symbolic characters, aligning with the play's exploration of absence, repetition, and estrangement.

Anna Horvath edited by christina vergopoulou April 21, 2025 4 min

AHA objects sets Chairs as Characters for Ionesco’s theater play

AHA Objects developed a collection of approximately 40 chairs and stools as part of the set design for a contemporary interpretation of The Chairs / A Tragic Farce by Eugène Ionesco. Each piece was conceived as a distinct object, contributing to the visual language of the performance currently staged at Spazju Kreattiv, a circular theater located within St James Cavalier in Malta and designed by architect Richard England.

The production, performed between April 11th–19th, 2025, presents Ionesco’s work in a Maltese context. Originally written in 1952, The Chairs is a foundational text of the theater of the absurd, focusing on existential themes through the actions of an elderly couple who prepare chairs for invisible guests who never arrive. The design brief emphasized the transformation of utilitarian furniture into symbolic characters, aligning with the play’s exploration of absence, repetition, and estrangement.

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 1 — AHA Objects creates 40 unique chairs for the set design of The Chairs by Ionesco | all images by Aleksandar Gligic

AHA Objects’ collection of chairs responds to its Maltese context

The theater’s circular geometry and use of robust materials informed the design strategy, led by Anna Horvath, founder of AHA Objects. Referencing previous stagings of the play, particularly the version in Tehran where Bahman Mohasses employed metal rods to produce expressive seating, the current production incorporates visual elements that reinterpret these ideas through minimal forms, chromatic variety, and structural repetition. The chairs collectively evoke an abstracted forest, forming a scenographic composition rather than a literal interior.

Sourcing was aligned with sustainable design principles. Materials included timber off-cuts from local fabrication studio MatterMake and repurposed objects from Birgu Market. Chrome frames were selected to situate the narrative within a contemporary Maltese context, referencing the familiarity and presence of this material in local interiors. The set forms part of a broader initiative by AHA Objects, which also co-founded SORĠI, a start-up focused on reusing construction waste to develop outdoor furnishings. Is-Siġġijiet (The Chairs) is a Spazju Kreattiv commission, with support from the Embassy of France in Malta.

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 2 — each piece functions as both prop and character

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 3 — a reinterpretation of Ionesco’s 1952 absurdist play

aha-objects-chairs-set-design-the-chairs-a-tragic-farce-eugene-ionesco-spazju-kreattiv-malta-designboom-1800-2 — chairs explore themes of absence and repetition

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 4 — minimal forms respond to the theater’s bold geometry

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 5 — timber off-cuts sourced from local studio MatterMake

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 6 — chrome frames reflect contemporary Maltese interiors

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 7 — found objects from Birgu Market integrated into the set

aha-objects-chairs-set-design-the-chairs-a-tragic-farce-eugene-ionesco-spazju-kreattiv-malta-designboom-1800-3 — seating elements arranged as a scenographic forest

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 8 — the stage becomes a sculptural, immersive landscape

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 9 — Anna Horvath led the design concept and execution

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 10 — set design developed for Spazju Kreattiv’s circular theater | images by Elisa von Brockdorff

AHA objects reinterprets the chairs by eugène ionesco staged at spazju kreattiv in malta - 11 — Spazzju Kreattiv – St James Cavalier from above

project info:

name: The Chairs
designer: AHA Objects | @ahaobjects

lead designer: Anna Horvath

theater: Spazju Kreattiv | @spazjukreattiv

location: Valletta, Malta

photographer: Aleksandar Gligic | @ingmarov, Elisa von Brockdorff | @elisa_von_bee

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