Ant (chair)

Design Museum Danmark - Ant chair

Ant (chair)

The Ant (Myrmica) chair is a notable example of modern furniture design, created by the Danish designer Arne Jacobsen in 1952 for the Danish manufacturer Fritz Hansen. The chair is renowned for its unique shape, which resembles the form of an ant with its head down, hence its name. It was originally designed for use in the canteen of the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, marking a significant departure from traditional chair designs and showcasing Jacobsen's innovative approach to furniture design.

Design and Features

The Ant chair features a minimalist design, emphasizing functionality and comfort. It is constructed from a single piece of plywood, bent to achieve its distinctive shape, which provides both flexibility and support. The chair's seat and back form a continuous curve, which is mounted on a slender, tubular steel frame. This construction not only makes the chair lightweight and easy to move but also allows it to stack, making it highly practical for both commercial and residential use.

One of the key aspects of the Ant chair's design is its simplicity and the efficiency of its use of materials. Jacobsen was inspired by the principles of Bauhaus, which advocated for the unification of art, craft, and technology. The chair's design reflects this philosophy, with its form following function and its aesthetic devoid of unnecessary ornamentation.

Variants and Legacy

Over the years, the Ant chair has been produced in various models and colors, including versions with three and four legs. The original three-legged version was the most radical and is considered a classic of modern chair design. However, the four-legged version has become more popular due to its increased stability.

The Ant chair's innovative design and its success paved the way for Jacobsen's later work, including the famous Series 7 chair, which shares similarities with the Ant chair but features a more pronounced curve and a wider seat. Both chairs exemplify Jacobsen's mastery of plywood bending techniques and his contribution to the modernist movement in furniture design.

The Ant chair remains in production today, testament to its enduring appeal and relevance in contemporary interior design. It is celebrated not only for its aesthetic qualities but also for its representation of mid-20th-century design innovation.

Impact on Design

The Ant chair is considered a milestone in the history of furniture design, illustrating the potential of industrial production techniques to create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and affordable furniture. Its success contributed to the popularity of Scandinavian design internationally, characterized by simplicity, minimalism, and functionality.

Jacobsen's work, including the Ant chair, has had a profound influence on subsequent generations of designers. The chair is often cited in studies of design history and is included in the collections of major museums around the world, recognized for its significance in the development of modern furniture design.

See Also

• Arne Jacobsen
• Fritz Hansen
• Modern furniture
• Scandinavian design
• Series 7 chair
• Bauhaus