From Rodin to interior design: The artistic soul of modern furniture

The connection between art and everyday life has been a much-discussed field since early antiquity, encompassing not only painting, sculpture, and architecture, but also product design, especially furniture. For centuries, craftspeople, architects, and artists have left their individual signatures on armchairs, chairs, and tables. Functional objects become vehicles of cultural expression.

In the modern world, this demand has intensified: furniture is no longer simply bought to fulfill a practical function, but is intended to be part of an overall aesthetic experience that shapes interiors, reflects lifestyles and conveys artistic messages.

A vivid example of this connection is seating furniture, which over time has become increasingly inspired by works of art. Exciting design creations combine sculptural approaches with the direct experience of an everyday object. It can be observed that not only classic design icons have achieved this status, but also contemporary pieces that merge technology and form.

Technology as an extension of functionality and aesthetics

The past few decades have shown that we can combine furniture with technology like never before in the history of product design. Today, cutting-edge functionality and appealing design unite to multisensory experiences . Massage chairs, a prime example of this development, combine modern mechanics that mimic body movements and specifically promote relaxation with a clear design language. This fusion of design and technology can be seen as a creative process in which the function itself serves as a vehicle for expression.

The diverse designs demonstrate that the selection of such furniture can be influenced not only by functionality but also by aesthetics and cultural considerations. A multitude of design possibilities become apparent, ranging from futuristic organic curves to strict lines reminiscent of modern sculptures. Design-conscious individuals no longer purchase a massage chair ; often, combining comfort and design in one's home is also a lifestyle statement.

The choice of specific materials, the interplay of leather or fabric with wood or metal elements , and the integration of LED lighting or even sound effects can all transform these aspects into a single piece of furniture, creating an immersive overall experience.

A piece of furniture is not just a form for sitting, but a silent stage for aesthetic experiences.”

From sculpture to chair: How art inspires furniture

The exchange between these seemingly very different disciplines began as early as the beginning of the 20th century, and it continues to this day.

Rodin, Brâncuși and the early influences on furniture design

Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) revolutionized the concept of monuments with "The Burghers of Calais," encountering fierce resistance along the way. He depicted people in dynamic motion, portraying them as ordinary individuals rather than creating idealized figures. Subsequent artists and designers were influenced by this new perspective on form and space.

Constantin Brâncuși , who lived and worked in Paris from 1904 onwards, is one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century. He broke with the notion of realistic representation through reduction, thus having a lasting impact on the art of sculpture. He reduced his sculptural works to elementary basic forms, often with a polished surface. This formal language can later be found in numerous pieces of furniture.

How artists discovered furniture as a form of expression

While Brâncuși's polished sculptures approached industrial forms, Marcel Duchamp painting and created his first readymade, "Roue de bicyclette" (Bicycle Wheel). At the same time, Fernand Léger the theory of how art could capture the beauty of machines.

The American architect Frank Gehry later developed innovative seating furniture made of glued corrugated cardboard, whose layers were designed to withstand great pressure – a chair without material expenditure, designed with the most economical means. Furthermore, designers recognized that the chair, detached from its function, could serve as a source of inspiration for sculptural objects.

Examples of early artistic furniture

A remarkable example is Pedro Friedeberg's "Hand Chair" from the early 1960s. It is not simply a piece of furniture, but rather articulates a new kind of design.

Equally significant is Alessandro Mendini's "Proust Armchair ," which combines the baroque opulence of the Louis XV style with an Impressionist motif referencing the time of Marcel Proust. Mendini's aim was historical quotation; this made the armchair an early classic of postmodernism, that movement which consciously drew on traditional stylistic devices and reinterpreted them ironically.

These early examples show how the design show becomes an art exhibition where chairs become sculptural objects and exemplify the breaking down of the boundaries between art and design.

The human being as an integral part of the artwork

An interesting aspect is that humans play a central role in both areas. A sculpture often only comes to life through contemplation, while a piece of furniture only unfolds its full effect when someone uses it. Special pieces of furniture, such as a massage chair, represent an enhancement of this, as they intensify the relationship between object and person. The body is not only supported but also actively moved, massaged, and relaxed.

Artwork (sculpture)	Seating furniture (e.g. massage chairs)
Expression of emotion	Expression of comfort
Playing with materials	Playing with surfaces & fabrics
Form determines effect	Form determines posture

While paintings or sculptures are often viewed from a distance, furniture enters into a direct relationship with the body. It is used, touched, and inhabited. This close connection between object and user transforms the piece of furniture into an “interactive work of art” that only unfolds its meaning through human presence.

The role of humans in this context can also be compared to a concept from theater studies: A stage set is only complete when actors bring it to life. Applying this analogy, a piece of furniture only becomes a complete work of art when it is used. The massage chair is thus a kind of stage on which the body itself becomes the main character, while the technology provides the script and the form the backdrop.

Contemporary furniture designers with an artistic soul

Contemporary designers of artistic furniture consciously transcend the boundaries of tradition, creating pieces that exist in the space between utility and art. They utilize unconventional materials, experiment with forms, and share personal stories through their artwork.

Merve Kahraman: Between Fable and Function

Merve Kahraman began her studies in molecular biology and genetics before making a bold decision:

I realized that I was more interested in the creation itself than in the study of creation.

The Turkish designer, who studied Istituto Europeo di Design furniture with a fairytale quality . A friend drew a comparison between her designs and "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"—an association Kahraman appreciates because it was her favorite childhood story. Her designs range from marble side tables with checkered fabric legs to armchairs inspired by cotton candy.

Fernando Mastrangelo: Furniture as Landscape

Fernando Mastrangelo 's works create "a universe in which landscapes, textures, and human states are layered and interwoven ." The New York-based artist designs his furniture from natural or recycled materials such as sand, salt, and crushed glass.

His “Drift Sofa” is particularly impressive – a sand construction with a velvet cover, hand-dyed in soft shades of blue, mimicking melting glaciers.

Djivan Schapira: Vintage style made of resin

The 28-year-old Frenchman Djivan Schapira blends retro elements with a modern aesthetic. He combines retro-futuristic designs with the finest French decorative techniques, such as marquetry and lacquer work, in his "Solar Sailer" collection. His coral-colored resin dining tables, reminiscent of surfboards, are as distinctive as his cocktail tables with brass bands.

Sara Efia Reddin: Ghana meets Barcelona

After almost 20 years in Paris, Sara Efia Reddin settled in Barcelona. Her artworks reflect the cultural diversity she experienced as the daughter of an Irish-Italian father and a Ghanaian mother.

Under her brand “Golden Editions,” she brings “the boldness of London, the elegance of Paris, and the sun-drenched spirit of Barcelona .” Her products are designed in Barcelona, ​​woven by local artisans in Ghana, and finished in Spain.

Robert Kuo: A new perspective on cloisonné

Robert Kuo , born in Beijing, learned the cloisonné technique at the age of 15 in his father's workshop. After emigrating to the USA in 1973, he enriched this traditional art with influences from Art Nouveau and Art Deco .

From 1985 onwards, he also began working with repoussé – a technique in which decorative reliefs are hammered onto metal. From shimmering white stools to abstract lounge chairs, his furniture encompasses a wide variety of forms.

A few words about the future of residential aesthetics

An even closer connection between art, design, and technology will undoubtedly shape the future of furniture. It is already evident today that the desire for objects that are more than just functional everyday items is steadily intensifying.

While living spaces are considered places of retreat, furniture plays a central role, possessing cultural significance beyond its functionality. Here, the longing for relaxation becomes an integral part of the art of living, where comfort and aesthetics do not contradict each other, but rather complement one another. As a result of this development, interior design, furniture design, and art will become even more closely intertwined. Rooms will not merely be furnished, but practically staged – like miniature stages on which everyday life unfolds in an artistic form.

• A minimalist room can be transformed by an expressive piece of furniture.
• A technically sophisticated massage chair can become the iconic centerpiece of an apartment.
• The conscious choice of furniture also reflects the artistic attitude of the residents.

This reveals a clear trend: art is no longer only sought in museums or galleries, but is consciously integrated into private spaces.