Celebrating the Cross 1 is a lounger that incorporates a crucifix, created by Swedish design studio Humans since 1982.
It has a cross-shaped frame, supported by a mesh structure partly woven with string.
“We aim to show that the cross has not only a semiotic meaning but also a practical function,” say the designers. “It was designed to fulfill a practical (sad) purpose.”
“We aim to celebrate a new practical function of the cross,” they add.
Humans since 1982 consists of Per Emanuelsson and Bastian Bischoff, two design students at HDK Gothenburg.
The lounger will be exhibited for two months at Röhsska Design Museum in Gothenburg, Sweden, this summer.
Photographs by Christoffer T. Duff.
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Posted by Rachael Sykes
February 25th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
What, no bible in the book rack?
February 25th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Yesss, a good idea for Brazilian Carnival 2010!!!
February 25th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Great post on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season which culminates on Good Friday, the observed anniversary of Christ’s death on the cross.
Clarification: A “crucifix” is a sculpture of the body of Christ affixed to a cross. This lounger incorporates a “cruciform” not a “crucifix”.
I’m interested in hearing a full explanation of the meaning of this well-crafted piece; a generic statement like, “We aim to celebrate a new practical function of the cross,” just doesn’t cut it. Why does the artist feel the need for a new function?
This makes me think of the post-modern adage:
–What we don’t understand, we can make mean anything.–
When attempting to redefine an ancient symbol like the cross, we can’t just simply erase over 2000 years of deep, mysterious, metaphysical, & salvific meaning. The cross has already been redefined; it was originally a devise used in capital punishment then after Christ was crucified, it was a metaphor for the hardships we all endure in this life, their redemptive qualities & an eternal life after death.
Now it’s a chair?
These ideas have probably been addressed but it doesn’t show in this post or their website.
(Please don’t view this as a rant. I like the piece but wish for a better understanding of the cross.)
February 25th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
“We aim to celebrate a new practical function of the cross,”
Strange then, that there is absolutely no reason nor function for a cross shape in this design.
Seems like a far too easy way (they hope to shock) to get attention…
February 25th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
“Celebrating the Cross 1 by Humans since 1982″ is probably the most confusing title for a post I’ve every read.
February 25th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
question: is the aim to celebrate a new practical function of the cross ?
http://www.yatzer.com/1542_blessed_or_cursed
February 25th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
original design & nice photos.
February 25th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
What “practical uses of the cross”? Like Crucifixion?
February 25th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Oh, lord.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Hmmm, I tend to agree with most other critical posts here.
Why not look for another functional/practical use of the star of David or the swastika for that matter, or better still the baphomet…
In either case I think it would be adapting a highly recognizable icon to a function probably best addressed by other forms, the new functional application will never replace the iconic forms collectively assigned definition and the related sentiment towards it. I think R said it best – a simple attention getting tactic, seen several times before, shock & awe, offend even if you have to, but don’t try and justify it with intellectual poetic discourse amounting to no more than excremental drizzle
February 25th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Cano,
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Eugene,
I agree, It’s not even a really practical capital punishment, just a dramatic one.
So it is a new dramatic use for a cruciform or cross released coincidentally on Ash Wednesday.
If it were using the cross, I might give the designer some merit. The form is all the mesh with a cross running through. A crucifix coat rack would be reinventing it’s use, not incorporating the form.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
A wee bit morbid for a lounger don’t you think?
February 25th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
this is, by some distance, the worst thing i have ever seen on dezeen.
February 25th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Watch Genesis House by Planda being designed (video)
Paris based architects Planda have designed a house in the shape of a cross, inspired by dj duo Justice’s most recent album cover.
The house was commissioned to for a cliff-top site on Santa Catalina Island in California, America, with the longest part of the cross cantilevered to jut out over the sea.
video link:
http://www.vimeo.com/2577189
by
planda.fr
February 26th, 2009 at 9:40 am
This design makes me cross
February 26th, 2009 at 10:33 am
if only jesus had this luxury..
i really dont want to give my best ideas away on here…. but here goes. How about a dentists chair shaped like a crucifix? pain, restraint and torture expressed in a chair. twice.
right im off to do a 3D render of it now.
you’ll see it on Dezeen soon.
February 26th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
interesting idea.
( g o d tells me : be nature , be you self , do not copy or do someone else. )
February 26th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
reminds me of The Cross by Richard Hutten 1994
http://design-milk.com/cross-sofa/
February 27th, 2009 at 1:07 am
may be it’s a little bit morbid… but also is a great design! the cross became in the main structure of a lounger… so you’re in fact reclined over the cross. you are crucifixed!
February 27th, 2009 at 1:28 am
A sobrenatural concept!
February 28th, 2009 at 1:38 am
What a way to offend christians…
March 5th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
religion is an easy answer to our existential questions, a bit as a lounger is an easy answer to our other more physical needs. congratulations to Per and Bastian for their second statement after the Surveillance Light from 2008!
March 10th, 2009 at 6:03 am
Love the irony!
May 27th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Reclining on this lounger looks to be only marginally more comfortable than actual crucifixion
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:15 pm
C’est nul ! Oups, pardon : je n’aime pas !