Hannah Spliid – Helping Africa with Art-Decorated Chairs
Today, the 24th of January 2009, tvelve of Danish humanitarian institutions are organising one of the big-scale humanitarian actions planned for year 2009. This one is with the purpose: ‘Give Families in Africa a Better Future’.
Hannah Spliid is one of the Danish artists who took part in the art project – repainting around 100 of the world famous classical ‘Series 7′ chairs by Arno Jacobsen* into around 100 pieces of art and offering them to the auction lauritz.com. All profit from the auction is going to the African families.
Hannah Spliid’s vision of her ‘7′er’ chairs is made in honour of the 7th anniversary of the World Trade Center tragedy. The title ‘ground 7′ero & chromo(z)ones’ is a reminder to us about the fragility of modern civilisation and democracy.
The background info about the ‘Series 7′ chair:
*In the 50s and 60s Arne Jacobsen and the furniture producer Fritz Hansen’s Eftf. developed the famous form moulded series of wooden chairs, which is one of the most successful series of modern industrially mass-produced chairs. The Ant became a worldwide design icon, but it was the Series 7 chair that became one of the most sold pieces of Danish furniture ever. As an introduction to the exhibition of the 12 Series 7 chairs decorated by artists, the museum has brought out its complete collection of early Arne Jacobsen shell chairs. This tells the story and background of the creation of the Series 7 chair and its 6 siblings.
(source: http://kunstindustrimuseet.dk)
I’ve always loved these chairs. Elegant and functional. I just didn’t know they were of Danish origin. Having it painted made it more beautiful. And doing so for a cause makes it outstanding.