Panton Chair Classic
Verner Panton was one of the most influential figures in the development of design during the 1960s and 1970s. Along with his experimental approach to forms and colours, he was captivated by the potential of plastic, a novel material at the time. His aim was to create a comfortable chair made in one piece that could be used anywhere. After searching for a manufacturer for several years, Panton came into contact with Vitra in 1963. Together they developed the Panton Chair, which was first presented in 1967.
Serial production of the Panton Chair commenced in 1967. It was hailed as a sensation and received numerous prizes. One of the earliest models is now in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Today the Panton Chair is regarded as a classic of modern furniture design. The original version of the chair in rigid polyurethane foam with a glossy lacquer finish is marketed under the name Panton Chair Classic.
About Designer | |
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Verner Panton |
Verner Panton, born in Gamtofte, Denmark, studied at
Odense Technical College before enrolling at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine
Arts in Copenhagen as an architecture student. He worked from 1950-1952 in the
architectural firm of Arne Jacobsen and founded an independent studio for
architecture and design in 1955. He first attracted wider attention with the
geometric forms of his furniture designs for the firm Plus-linje. In the
following years Panton created numerous designs for seating furniture and lighting.
Verner Panton's passion for bright colours and
geometric patterns manifested itself in an extensive range of textile designs.
By fusing the elements of a room – floor, walls, ceiling, furnishings,
lighting, textiles and wall panels made of enamel or plastic – into a unified
gesamtkunstwerk, Panton's interior installations have attained legendary
status. The most famous examples are the 'Visiona' ship installations for the
Cologne Furniture Fair (1968 and 1970), the Spiegel publishing headquarters in Hamburg
(1969) and the Varna restaurant in Aarhus (1970). |