BLESS 'dresses' furniture for chicago architecture biennial lounge

the lounge at the chicago architecture biennale has been designed by BLESS — a collaborative berlin-and paris-based partnership that merges art, fashion, object, and furniture design. through its work, the studio — who collaborates with pop-up stores around the world — seeks to ‘rethink the conventions of fashion production and manufacture, bypass the definitions of haute couture or ready-to-wear, and challenge the formal confines of function’.

the lounge at the chicago architecture biennale has been designed by BLESS
image © designboom

at the 2017 chicago architecture biennal, BLESS worked with finnish furniture company artek, to customize the kiki range that was designed by ilmari tapiovaara in 1960. within the lounge, the team has not only dressed the furniture with a range of garments, but has also introduced ‘fragmented architectural add-ons’ that transform these classic lounge chairs into small interior/exterior units or what it calls ‘architumiture’.

the berlin-and paris-based partnership merges art, fashion, object, and furniture design
image by steve hall

named ‘no. 60 lobby conquerors’, the various objects inhabit the stair landing and invite public interaction — either by connecting people and others, or conversely, by providing privacy and seclusion. the design team says that the aim of the project is to make each element — the space, the furniture, and the visitors — of equal importance.

the studio seeks to ‘rethink the conventions of fashion production and manufacture’
image © designboom

BLESS worked with finnish furniture company artek
image © designboom

within the lounge, the team has dressed the furniture with a range of garments
image © designboom

‘fragmented architectural add-ons’ transform classic lounge chairs into small interior/exterior units
image © designboom

BLESS calls the ad-ons ‘architumiture’
image © designboom

the various objects inhabit the stair landing and invite public interaction
image courtesy of BLESS

the installation connects people and others, or conversely, by provides privacy and seclusion
image © designboom

the design team says that the aim of the project is to make each element of equal importance
image © designboom

the second edition of the chicago architecture biennial (CAB) is the largest architecture and design exhibition in north america, showcasing the transformative global impact of creativity and innovation in these fields. this year’s biennial features over 141 practitioners from more than 20 countries addressing the 2017 theme ‘make new history.’ artistic directors sharon johnston and mark lee have selected architects and artists whose eye-opening creations will invite the public to explore how the latest architecture can and will make new history in places around the world.

CAB is hosted by the chicago department of cultural affairs and special events at the historic chicago cultural center. the ‘make new history’ exhibition extends to off-site locations and is amplified through six community anchor exhibitions in the neighborhoods and two special project sites — plus installations, performances, talks, films, and more hosted by over 100 local and global cultural partners.

the main exhibition is free and open to the public from september 16, 2017 through january 7, 2018.

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