Date of Award
Spring 5-31-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master in Interior Architecture
Department
Interior Architecture
First Advisor
Jeffrey Katz
Abstract
What if an exhibition didn’t just present objects but actively pulled visitors into their world? This thesis explores that possibility by reimagining how furniture can be exhibited, using Misha Kahn’s All Tied Up Chair and Michael Thonet’s No. 14 Bentwood Chair as case studies. These two works sit at opposite ends of the design spectrum—Kahn’s chair is an explosion of color, texture, and playful chaos, while Thonet’s is an icon of industrial efficiency and graceful simplicity. Through spatial design, this exhibition translates their contrasting philosophies into immersive environments that extend beyond mere observation. The conventional use of neutral “White Cube” spaces in exhibitions aims to minimize distractions and focus solely on the artwork, but this approach often diminishes emotional engagement by lacking opportunities for viewers to deeply contemplate the pieces. Instead, integrating the exhibition space with the artwork—by extending its materials, colors, and themes—can transform static displays into dynamic, narrative environments that deepen audience interaction. Set within the 3rd-floor gallery of the Chace Center, the Thonet + Kahn exhibit features six chairs—three by Michael Thonet and three by Misha Kahn—strategically placed throughout a space shaped by a series of flowing curves. These curves, inspired by the signature lines found in both artists’ works, form a maze-like environment that invites visitors to explore, wander, and discover each “treasure” chair along the way. Surrounding each chair are contextual displays that reveal the story, materials, and design logic behind its creation. As visitors navigate this curving landscape, they are prompted to uncover both the contrasts and unexpected overlaps between Thonet’s elegant industrial refinement and Kahn’s playful material experimentation. Far from a static viewing experience, the exhibition becomes a spatial journey—one that transforms the act of looking into an act of searching, sensing, and connecting.
Recommended Citation
Shao, Shuting, "Looped Logic & Wild Lines" (2025). Masters Theses. 1400.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1400
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.