
History and evolution of the chair in the documentary 'Chair Time' A journey through the changes of this design piece from 1807 to today, as told by Vitra
Vitra presents Chair Time, a documentary dedicated to the history of the chair, its stylistic, design and production evolution. Through 125 seats from the collection exhibited in the Vitra Design Museum in Basel, director Heinz Bütler takes us on a journey from 1807 to today.
Chairs are important witnesses of their time, said Rolf Fehlbaum, Chairman Emeritus of the Swiss company and speaker of the video. This is true regardless of whether they express the fashion of a momentary trend or represent an epochal idea. They are portraits of their users and reflections of the production methods from which they emerge. Thus we are able to perceive and comprehend an era – its social organization, its materials and technology, its aesthetic tastes – by observing its chairs. I would even claim that chairs are more multifaceted than any other everyday object.
Chair Times is available free online on Vitra's website and on YouTube.