Chairs Glorious Chairs — Roaming with Roth

“You might want to sit down for this.”

Two years ago, while in Amsterdam, we visited the not oft’ attended ‘Museum of Bags and Purses’. Mind you, one of us possessed a mild interest, the other was, shall we say, accomodating. However, I found myself fascinated by the history, array and development of the roles and functions of carryalls, from: Renaissance jeweled clutch bags; Elizabethan ornamental purses and men’s snuff boxes to famous designers and fashion house bags from tiny ‘opera’ bags to large shoulder satchels. The reason I bring this up is because sometimes in your travels you have a moment, an experience, a ‘happening’ that absent prescribed plans or described expectations when you are so pleasantly surprised and richly rewarded..

Such was the case at Denmark’s Design Museum in Copenhagen. Who would’a thunk? Denmark has long been an innovator in design and function in everything from kitchenware and appliances to functional design elements for the home. We even saw a revolutionary pig feeder. But, the highlight of the museum was their permanent collections of chairs.

”The chair is a very difficult object. Everyone who has ever tried to make one knows that. There are endless possibilities and many problems - the chair has to be light, it has to be strong it has to be comfortable. It is almost easier to build a skyscraper than a chair.”. Ludwig Mies Van Dear Rohe

(To the tune of), “Food Glorious Food” from the Broadway musical “OLIVER”

“Chairs, glorious chairs
Wool, leather or metal
Must be “in the groove”
For all asses to settle
Round, oblong, rectangular…size and shape do matter
There shouldn’t be any bumps, so your ‘bum’ can sit flatter.

Chairs glorious chairs
Crafted for Kings and peasants
Although peasants stand
In the King’s royal presence
After a long day at work, what brings on a sigh
A soft cushion to set your butt, shut your eyes and go ‘bye-bye.’

Chairs glorious chairs
Blue, chartreuse and pale pink
First remove your shoes
Get comfortable but don’t slink
Move on over and share your seat with your partner fair
In you chair, marvelous chair, fabulous chair
GLORIOUS CHAIR.