Michael Sheridan, a New York City architect, conducted an informative lecture on world-renowned designer Poul Kjaerholm and his influence on modern design.
Sheridan is a leading scholar on Kjaerholm’s work. He established his own practice, Sheridan Architect, in 2005, focusing on spaces for artists and art-related activities, as well residential projects. The retrospective, Poul Kjaerholm – Furniture Architect, which he designed and curated at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, was recognized as one the outstanding exhibitions of 2006 by Artforum magazine.
Among the most inventive of the mid-20th century Scandinavian modernists, Kjaerholm softened modernist rationalism with naturalistic Nordic influences. His work was often unusually ingenious. Kjaerholm’s designs are logical to the minute detail with an aura of exclusivity, making them some of the most highly sought after and widely discussed designs in the market today.
A graceful chaise longue in natural wicker with a tubular adjustable headrest in black leather, the PK24 lounge chair is the impressive illustration of Kjaerholm design.
The juxtaposition of color and texture between the woven cane and stainless steel makes it an object of beauty. Also remarkable is Kjaerholm’s sculptural treatment of stainless steel, a material that, he believed, was as pliable and expressive as the wood favoured by other Scandinavian designers. As functional as it is beautiful, the chaise longue is also light, lean and portable – a definably practical piece of modern furniture.
Guests were enlightened by the breadth of Sheridan’s knowledge, and inspired by the warm simplicity of Kjaerholm’s work.
Monday, April 4, 2005
