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One of the most congenial phrases in Western civilization is "Have a seat." The implication being the visitor is not only welcome but hospitality is offered. Thus, one of the friendliest places in the Delaware Valley is the Delaware Art Museum, where an exhibition of more than 50 chairs invites visitors to linger.
"Garry Knox Bennett: Call Me Chairmaker" runs through Sept. 21 with one-of-a-kind chairs that are witty, superbly crafted and just plain fun. While most are functional, they are not created for sitting but rather for sculptural quality. As for the others, the museum reports: "Comfort would be impossible; sitting down is even a stretch. "
Furniture design normally conforms to conventional standards and oddities like beanbag chairs instantly conjure up images of college dormitories. Bennett goes over the top as he steps outside the box to make them artistic and humorous.
According to Bennett, "A good joke is better than bad art. To understand my art, a viewer has to understand jokes. Good jokes build piece by piece, the little fact that is dropped into the storyline, the accumulation of illogical data that flip-flops logic until the unexpected is understood with a joyful rush of logic and justice. The best of jokes gives clues so that you understand the joke just three beats after the seller gives you the punch line. " Since a few Bennett jokes are puns, it might not even take three beats.
"Garry Knox Bennett’s sense of humor is immediately infectious, but it belies an incredible technical virtuosity, which demands a second, closer look," Museum Curator Margaretta Frederick said.
The Delaware Art Museum is the perfect venue as it is home to two of the most famous chairs in art history: Those built by William Morris, founder of the Arts and Craft Movement, and painted by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, a founder of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The Brotherhood was a group of seven men who wanted to reform modern painting and return it to the values in art prior to Raphael.
The chairs were made to fit into the rooms of Morris and his roommate at the time, Edward Burne-Jones. Rossetti, the previous tenant and a kindred spirit, painted the chairs partially based on poetry written by Morris. Others could have had a hand in the painting, as well. All of the artists shared a love for medieval art and culture and were particularly taken with the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as portrayed in Malory’s book "Le Morte d’Arthur."
Furnishing this apartment on Red Lion Square in London was the beginning of Morris’ involvement with the decorative arts and he later went on to found a company devoted to unique design and solid construction. One of his most notable creations was the Morris chair, a forerunner of the modern recliner; it was cushioned on what today might be a called a Mission-style frame that was adjustable. The basic design is still manufactured.
Bennett was inspired by such well-known furniture designers and architects as the Dutchman Gerrit Rietveld and Frank Lloyd Wright. An example is Bennett’s Great Granny Rietveld chair based on a 1930s original by Rietveld called the ZigZag chair. Bennett’s other chairs include a sculpture that looks like stacked lawn chairs no one could untangle, one that goes by the name of Wiggle Wright with references to Frank Lloyd Wright and New Ladderback #1, that, of course, has a built in stepladder.
Bennett studied painting and sculpture at the California College of Arts in Oakland. His technical skills lead to the establishment of a jewelry metal-plating business. He then built clocks before moving on to furniture.
His work has been shown at the Museum of Art and Design in New York, the Smithsonian, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco and the Oakland Museum as well as being held in numerous private collections.
Just before the exhibition closes, the Delaware Museum will hold the novel fundraising event "Take a Seat." The event will be chair-themed and feature an auction of chairs created by local artists and craftspeople. There also will be a silent auction of "seats" in nearby restaurants, theaters and sporting events. The evening with music, cocktails and food will end with fireworks over the sculpture garden.
Just remember proper etiquette and give up your seat for the aged.
Garry Knox Bennett: Call Me Chairmaker
Through Sept. 21
Delaware Art Museum
2301 Kentmere Pkwy.
Wilmington, Del.
302-571-9590
www.delart.org
Adults, $10; seniors, $8; students, $5; ages 7 to 17, $3; under age 6, free
