"How High the Moon" by Shiro Kuramata

In 1988, Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata created "How High the Moon", a masterpiece that explores the boundaries of art, design and philosophy. This armchair, produced by Vitra, is a reflection on the nature and function of seating.

At first glance, "How High the Moon" appears to be a conventional armchair. But Kuramata breaks with this impression by making the armchair from steel mesh without traditional frame or support structures. This reduction gives it an almost transparent, dematerialized appearance and creates an exciting relationship between form and function. The reflective quality of the steel mesh reinforces this impression and gives the armchair an almost fragile appearance.

The armchair is not only an aesthetic statement, but also a challenge to conventional furniture design. "How High the Moon" takes up the Western iconography of the armchair, an almost unknown piece of furniture in the traditional Japanese design world, and poses the question of resilience and thus the definition of a functional piece of furniture.

"How High the Moon" is therefore more than just a seat; it is a work of art that inspires reflection. Kuramata uses the shape of the chair to pose philosophical questions about materiality, form and function. In its design, the chair combines art and design and invites us to rethink our usual perspectives on everyday objects. With this work, Kuramata impressively demonstrates how design can transcend function and become a deeper, more meaningful experience.

Photos: © Sotheby's (sothebys.com)