One Family House Chair
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MEDIUM
Steel tubing, electrostatic paint, astroturf, plywood
DATES
Designed 1984; this example made 1986
DIMENSIONS
42 1/2 x 17 x 17 in. (108 x 43.2 x 43.2 cm)
(show scale)
MARKINGS
On triangular metal plate screwed to underside of seat: "Loye [written in black ink] / LOYE [stamped] / 84 [stamped] / 1986 [written in black ink]"
SIGNATURE
no signature
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscrriptions
ACCESSION NUMBER
86.240
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Riane Eisler
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Rectilinear side chair with a square-sectioned steel tubing painted white and a cushion made of green Astroturf over plywood. Straight chair back shaped into the skeletal outline of a house with a door, two windows, pointed roof, and short chimney. The side stiles (sides of the house) continue into the two back legs, which, with two parallel front legs, support the flat seat, which represents a kind of front lawn for the house. All of the tubing parts are welded together.
CONDITION: Newly made, with minor scratches and imperfections in paint application to all surfaces. Chips with minor paint losses to several corners, most noticeable loss at top of back, rear side of peak of roof. Paint not applied to tiny spot at top of proper left leg, appearing as loss with red undercoat or rustproofing showing.
CAPTION
Kate Loye. One Family House Chair, Designed 1984; this example made 1986. Steel tubing, electrostatic paint, astroturf, plywood, 42 1/2 x 17 x 17 in. (108 x 43.2 x 43.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Riane Eisler, 86.240. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.240_bw_IMLS.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 86.240_bw_IMLS.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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we welcome any additional information you might have.
Could you tell me more about this chair and the designer?
The”One Family House Chair” was designed by Kate Loyein 1984. It is such a fun example of postmodern design! It flies in the face of what is considered “tasteful” through the inclusion of the kitschy material Astroturf.
Do you know if the artist made any other works in this style?
According to an article from 1986, Loye produced a series of chairs that looked like buildings, however this is the only one in our collection. The chair was being sold at 'Full House' which was a New York home furnishing shop in the 80s.
