This Where There’s Smoke Chair (2006) by Maarten Baas is a striking example of his groundbreaking series, where iconic furniture pieces undergo a transformative process of controlled burning. Using a torch, Baas carefully scorched this chair to alter its appearance while preserving its structural integrity and functionality. The carbonized surface, sealed with transparent epoxy resin, creates a unique interplay between destruction and preservation. As Baas explains, the process was not about restoring the original state but redefining the object's beauty by embracing its transformation.The Where There’s Smoke series garnered Baas international recognition, including being named Designer of the Year at Design Miami in 2009. His works are held in prestigious collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Groninger Museum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and SFMOMA. This particular chair exemplifies Baas' commitment to narrative design that challenges conventional aesthetics.The chair's asymmetrical, charred form is a testament to Baas' philosophy of finding new beauty through unconventional methods, offering a provocative commentary on the impermanence of design and the potential for rebirth through destruction.
