Unfolding Chair

Peter Danko, Unfolding Chair, ca. 1981, maple plywood and nylon, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Joseph N. Raffa, 1997.119.1
Peter Danko, Unfolding Chair, ca. 1981, maple plywood and nylon, 31 1219 3419 34 in. (80.050.250.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Joseph N. Raffa, 1997.119.1

Artwork Details

Title
Unfolding Chair
Artist
Date
ca. 1981
Dimensions
31 1219 3419 34 in. (80.050.250.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Joseph N. Raffa
Mediums
Mediums Description
maple plywood and nylon
Classifications
Object Number
1997.119.1

Artwork Description

Peter Danko made a name for himself in the 1980s with his unique and modern ply-bent chairs. These works are made from thin layers of maple, which the artist uses for its strength and durability. Each layer is molded and glued in a heat press, a process that can take up to two and a half hours. Unfolding Chair is both practical and beautiful. When closed, the chair takes up a minimal amount of room, as Danko realizes that storage space can be an issue in many modern buildings. Unfolded, however, the chair's sleek design invites enjoyment and ease, a chance to both look at and sit on the chair.

Works by this artist (27 items)

Violet Oakley, Scale Model of the Dante Window, n.d., oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Violet Oakley Memorial Foundation, 1983.39.24
Scale Model of the Dante Window
Daten.d.
oil on canvas
Not on view
Violet Oakley, Dante Window (study for Paradiso: Virgin Mary), ca. 1912, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Violet Oakley Memorial Foundation, 1983.39.19
Dante Window (study for Paradiso: Virgin Mary)
Dateca. 1912
pencil on paper
Not on view
Violet Oakley, Dante Window (study for Purgatorio: head of a woman, profile), ca. 1912, black chalk on tracing paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Violet Oakley Memorial Foundation, 1983.39.5
Dante Window (study for Purgatorio: head of a woman,…
Dateca. 1912
black chalk on tracing paper
Not on view
Violet Oakley, Dante Window (study for Purgatorio, Medallion 8, Canto 30: Head of one of the figures of Virtue), ca. 1912, black chalk on tracing paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Violet Oakley Memorial Foundation, 1983.39.7
Dante Window (study for Purgatorio, Medallion 8, Canto 30:…
Dateca. 1912
black chalk on tracing paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Welmon Sharlhorne, Untitled (Building with Recessed Entrance and Black Foreground), ca. 1992, ink on manila envelope, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.135
Untitled (Building with Recessed Entrance and Black…
Dateca. 1992
ink on manila envelope
Not on view
Andrea Way, Bones, 1987, ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tom and Judy Brody, 2009.38.3, © 1987, Andrea Way
Bones
Date1987
ink on paper
Not on view
Carl Piwinski, Martian Worlds, ca. 1992, ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.125
Martian Worlds
Dateca. 1992
ink on paper
Not on view
Christoph Voll, William H. Johnson, Heads of Two Children, ca. 1930-1938, pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.388
Heads of Two Children
Artist
Dateca. 1930-1938
pen and ink on paper
Not on view