Furniture pieces often blend seamlessly into our daily lives, serving utilitarian functions without much fanfare. Yet, amidst the sea of ordinary chairs and tables lies the extraordinary ‘wiggle’ chair, a striking masterpiece deserving of a place not just in homes but also in museum exhibits. But what makes this chair so special?
Designed by renowned twentieth-century architect Frank Gehry, the ‘wiggle’ chair stands out for its unique blend of materials and shape. Constructed entirely from continuous curving strips of ‘Edge Board’—a material invented by Gehry himself—the chair boasts a distinctively patterned, seemingly woven texture when viewed from the front. This innovative use of corrugated cardboard, layered in alternating directions and glued together, lends the chair an unparalleled aesthetic appeal.
The ‘wiggle’ chair is part of a larger furniture collection crafted from ‘Edge Board,’ showcased in the highly successful ‘Easy Edges’ series in Los Angeles between 1969 and 1972. Despite cardboard being an unconventional choice, Gehry’s design was firmly rooted in the design trends of the 1960s. This era saw numerous experiments with plastic seating, inspiring Gehry to create a more environmentally friendly alternative.
The chair’s distinctive shape, from which it derives its name, bears resemblance to Verner Panton’s 1960 fibreglass ‘Panton’ chair. Both chairs feature a similar curved silhouette and are constructed from a single material, albeit different ones. This parallel underscores the ‘wiggle’ chair’s broader connections to 1960s design trends while also highlighting its specific representation of Gehry’s abstract, sculptural aesthetic.
By preserving the ‘wiggle’ chair in a museum setting, we not only celebrate its innovative design but also showcase how design trends can evolve while prioritizing sustainability. Through Gehry’s visionary approach, the chair serves as a testament to the intersection of creativity, innovation, and environmental consciousness—a timeless symbol of design excellence.
In essence, the ‘wiggle’ chair transcends its functional purpose to become a cultural artifact, offering insights into the ever-evolving landscape of design and the enduring legacy of pioneering architects like Frank Gehry.
Therese Barbara
Collections Stories Volunteer