concept/prototype (1992/98)
Plywood, ax, axhandles

Museum Collections:
Museum of Arts and Design, New York, US
MAK Austrian Museum of Applied Arts/Contemporary Art, Vienna, A

www.madmuseum.org

www.mak.at
www.form-faktor.at

It is said that old furniture has a history. Very well, but most of the time, it is the one of its owners. But some new furniture also has a history, namely that of its origin. Martin Mostböck’s object, “Best Friends Chair”, was not born from practical considerations, as one can easily see. The creation arose from a reaction, so it is really a response to experiences, a personal catharsis. Experience is being processed, brought to shape.

In Mostböck’s native city of Vienna, which is, along with its many benefits, also known for its not always likeable idiosyncrasies of its inhabitants, people paraphrase exceptionally vile behaviour among people close to each other with a variety of colourful expressions. “A stab in the back” is one of them. That is also a way to understand design, as an instrument of retribution. The rack was also designed by someone, wasn’t it? Mostböck contents himself with the torture chair. Nothing to lean back and relax anyway!

Christian Desrues (Editor, Vienna)