◄ Overview
Philippe Malouin
Steel arm chair
In the first century AD, the Roman architect Vitruvius defined architecture as the confluence of three variables: firmitas, utilitas, and venustas (firmness, utility, and delight). The work of Philippe Malouin adheres impressively to this ancient fundamental formula. Across his prolific output, which ranges from small objects to furnishings to complete interiors, what you see is what you get; he is a master of structural and material integrity. Firmitas is particularly ascendant in the works shown at Object & Thing, from a 2019 collection in which Malouin riffed on the theme of the office. Struck by the grim impersonality of most contemporary contract furniture, he reached back to an earlier era of welded and cast steel, with exposed nuts and bolts and added blasts of vivid color (which come standard from his industrial suppliers, a sort of Duchampian approach to palette).
Tearsheet
Artist
Philippe Malouin
Material
Steel, textured polyurethane coating in blue, and leather
Contributing Gallery
Salon 94 Design
Date
2019
Dimensions
27.44 in × 20.87 in × 19.88 in
69.6976 cm × 53.0098 cm × 50.4952 cm
ID
salon94designpm05-ind01 d
Image credit:
Steel arm chair, 2019
27.44 in × 20.87 in × 19.88 in
Steel, textured polyurethane coating in blue, and leather
Salon 94 Design
$0
In the first century AD, the Roman architect Vitruvius defined architecture as the confluence of three variables: firmitas, utilitas, and venustas (firmness, utility, and delight). The work of Philippe Malouin adheres impressively to this ancient fundamental formula. Across his prolific output, which ranges from small objects to furnishings to complete interiors, what you see is what you get; he is a master of structural and material integrity. Firmitas is particularly ascendant in the works shown at Object & Thing, from a 2019 collection in which Malouin riffed on the theme of the office. Struck by the grim impersonality of most contemporary contract furniture, he reached back to an earlier era of welded and cast steel, with exposed nuts and bolts and added blasts of vivid color (which come standard from his industrial suppliers, a sort of Duchampian approach to palette).