Incollect Magazine - Issue 3

Verner Panton Plastic is the signature element in the numerous designs of Verner Panton, one of Denmark’s most innovative 20th century designers. Panton understood and also benefited from years of innovation on the part of his Danish design colleagues, especially Arne Jacobsen, with whom he began his career as an apprentice in 1950 before founding his own design studio in 1955. But he quickly forged his own, wildly distinctive path as a designer inspired by new materials and technology in the field of molded plastic and in so doing, in terms of availability and price point, made Scandinavian design accessible to a worldwide population. His “Panton Chair”, an instant masterpiece of modern design conceived in 1959 and produced serially by Vitra in 1967, still in production, is widely regarded by design historians as the first fully formed molded seat made from a single durable piece of injected plastic. The flexibility of the material coupled with the cantilevered design make it incredibly comfortable as well as versatile. Injection molding allowed designs to be manufactured in a range of colors and sizes, including the conical “Cone Chair,” which was designed in 1958 as part of the furnishings conceived for the restaurant his father managed. Many historians point to the true origin of Scandinavian design as stemming from something else entirely: bad weather. Harsh, long winters with little to no daylight, trapping people inside for months at a time, inspired Scandinavian designers of the 20th century to create practical, simple but cozy furniture in natural materials and uncluttered interiors in muted, uniform colors designed to maximize natural light and warmth. The design style was first presented internationally at the Triennale di Milano exhibition in 1947 and was an instant success. Scandinavian design as a global brand was born. Furniture pieces and home accessories were later showcased in the US and Canada in an important 1954 traveling exhibition, from which the term “Scandinavian design” is believed to originate. The exhibition promoted the idea of Scandinavian design as “democratic”, given its appeal to everyone through products that were practical and relatively affordable. The idea of a design movement that the public could enjoy and access for their home was embraced by 1950s America and later worldwide. Minimal, functional and beautiful, Scandinavian design has found favor the world over with its emphasis on clean lines and comfort. In the drive to simplify our environments with fewer, finer things, the timeless appeal of this elegant, yet accessible aesthetic ensures it will continue to be welcomed into homes for a long time to come. Designed for a restaurant in Denmark, Verner Panton’s Cone Chair was the result of his quest to design a chair with a unified form. He eliminated traditional chair legs in favor of a low, swiveling base to create a futuristic profile that is surprisingly comfortable. Created 1958 for Vitra, Denmark. From Chris Howard Antiques & Modern on Incollect. An icon of twentieth-century Space Age design and the world’s first molded plastic chair, the cantilevered Panton Chair was conceived in 1959, and after a series of experiments with materials and manufacturing processes, was presented to the public in 1967. Verner Panton for Herman Miller/ Vitra. Photo courtesy Original in Berlin. 2022 Incollect Magazine 107