The Chair as an Example of Chinesism in Modern Furniture Design - by Fang Hai (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This book discusses the influence of traditional Chinese furniture on modern furniture design and the development of furniture across the world.

Changes of materials and concepts used in modern furniture design are closely related to ancient Chinese furniture design. This book expounds the content that has to do with "Chinoiserie" in the history of furniture. "Chinoiserie" here refers to the form, function and design principle of traditional Chinese furniture. By sorting out the part of modern furniture design related to Chinoiserie, it is concluded that the Chinese furniture system is one of the two major systems in the development of the global furniture system, and the emergence and maturity of the Chinese furniture system was almost independent, and completely dominated by social functionalism.

This book systematically discusses the decorative feature, beauty in form and development of traditional Chinese furniture, and elaborates on the modern design theory contained in traditional Chinese furniture, its influence on Western design and the development of furniture in the world.

About the Author

Fang Hai, Ph.D. in Design from Aalto University (formerly the University of Art and Design Helsinki) in Finland. He is an expert scholar spanning the fields of architecture and design. He has been honored with Finland's "Cultural Achievement Award" and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Aalto University. He has worked in the studio of Finland's most prominent contemporary design master, Kukkapuro. With over 30 years of experience in comparative research on Chinese and Western design, he has published more than 20 academic monographs.