We live in an age of instant gratification. There was a time when New York was the only city that never slept, but with technology becoming even more advance, the world is becoming one restless ball of energy.
Seeking to counteract this effect, designer, Susanne Westphal, is inviting us to get reacquainted with slowness. Westphal’s project, Die Entdeckung Der Langsamkeit (The Discovery of Slowness), takes its name from a 1983 novel by Sten Nadolny and makes brilliant use of the novel’s rhetoric–manifesting its significance in the form of furniture.
Courtesy of Susanne Westphal.
Similar to British Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, Westphal wants us to utilize the strength of slowness; she wants us to relinquish our hurrisome ways in order to reap the benefits of taking our time. Affectionately referred to as ‘STITCH’ and ‘WOOLY’ by Westphal, the chairs are meant to help escape the torment of “never having enough time”. Westphal says:
“Why do we have less time then ever before, although we invented time saving things? And why we scamper around, even if we have all possibilities to carry our life in our own hands? STITCH and WOOLY were designed to remind the user of all that.”
– Susanne Westphal.
Both chairs come purposely incomplete, requiring the user to complete and customize the furniture to their liking. Essentially, Westphal is protecting us from the ball of confusion by arming us with a ball of yarn.
Courtesy of Susanne Westphal.
Courtesy of Susanne Westphal.
Courtesy of Susanne Westphal.
Courtesy of Susanne Westphal.
Courtesy of Susanne Westphal.
Courtesy of Susanne Westphal.
Courtesy of Susanne Westphal.
Written by Akeem K. Duncan.↓
Akeem K. Duncan (n.): editor in chief; despised by most of the staff.
Akeem is our founder. A writer, poet, curator and profuse sweater, he is responsible for the curatorial direction and overall voice of Quiet Lunch. The Bronx native has read at venues such as the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, KGB Bar, Lovecraft and SHAG–with works published in Palabra Luminosas and LiVE MAG13. He has also curated solo and group exhibitions at numerous galleries in Chelsea, Harlem, Bushwick and Lower Manhattan.