#lockheed lounge

Mark Newson - Lockheed Lounge, 1988

"produced by Basecraft for Pod, Australia, fibreglass-reinforced polyester resin core, blind-riveted sheet aluminium, painted polyester resin impressed 'BASECRAFT SYDNEY' 34 ¾ x 66 x 25 in. (88.5 x 168 x 63.5 cm.)"

Lockheed Lounge

marc newson

idée (1988)

Otherwise known as Marc Newson, an Australian designer, and possibly one of the most eclectic designers still around today. He has certainly come a long way since his own art school days, and for that I am honestly thankful! 

Let me first clarify. Art is beautiful and inspiring and thought provoking, it also comes in many forms. However, one of the forms of art I find difficult to appreciate is the area where design and art overlap so much so that something is designed not to actually be used, because that’s “art” [not actually a chair, as it would appear]. 

So yes, I’m thankful Marc Newson has come a long way, because at the onset of his career he spent a lot of time designing furniture that no one sits on. He actually said about one his most famous pieces, the Lockheed Lounge, that if it was more comfortable than the rooftop of a bus then to him, it qualified as something worth sitting on.

But now for a little bit of positivity and inspiration. Since then he has worked on  almost everything inbetween pens and spaceships. It really would be easier to list the things he hasn’t designed, because it’s a very short list. He has been complemented on his versatility as a designer, and with good reason; Newson has, over the years, been able to develop a method of design that he applies to absolutely anything and everything he does, a method that clearly works well. Within this method he has developed a care for the user, because what’s the point in designing something no one wants to use? Or enjoys using? He also places a lot of value on finding the perfect material, learning about new materials and new processes. I’m quite sure he will never stop learning and exploring and I hope will never stop being inspired by the world we live in.

He stands by the fact that the only difference between designing a coathanger and a watch, or a car, are the materials and the scale of each project, and he would even go as far as saying that perhaps if as a designer, you’re not capable of being versatile enough to design both an aeroplane and a nutmeg grinder, then perhaps you’re not a good designer. Bold words am I right? There is definitely validity in his statement though, and as much as I hate to admit it, I think he’s probably right [to a certain extent anyway...]. Are you a shoe designer? Or a kitchen appliance designer? Or a car designer?

Marc Newson と言えば日本に住んでいた時期があるので、彼のデザインしたプロダクトを目にしたことがある方も多いと思います。

2003年、auから発売されていた携帯 ”Talby” や、2009年に発売された ”味の素瓶” 等。

そんな彼が無名の時に開いた個展 「Lockheed Lounge」にて発表した、その名も、”Lockheed Lounge” 。飛行機の機体からインスピレーションを受け、名前の由来もそのままに、飛行機メーカ：ロッキー社に由来しているといわれてます。

さて、この椅子。いくらだと思いますか？

なんとも、1億で落札されたとか。　数年前は300万で売買されていたそうで。。。。。富豪の方はすごいなーと。あんぐりとしてしまいました。笑

インテリアや美術品にお金をかける事。私はまだできませんが。

Lockheed Lounge (1988) by Marc Newson.