the latest series by italian illustrator federico babina
Italian illustrator Federico Babina imagines thirty chairs through the lens of thirty artists with his latest illustration series of Artchairs. ‘Producing a variation can be a game, a challenge or even an obsession,’ the artist notes. ‘In this illustrated game, I sat down to observe art. A creative challenge to play on the idea of variation on the same theme. Like musical variations and like a modular architecture where changes follow precise mathematical rules.’
artchairs: variations within a unified theme
Much like musical variations or a modular architecture governed by precise mathematical rules, the Artchairs by illustrator Federico Babina embody the essence of diversity within a unified theme. He underscores that in any series of variations, the entirety surpasses the sum of its individual parts. The strength lies in the whole, allowing for a comprehensive interpretation of the underlying concept. The chair, traditionally a tool for comfort, transforms into a medium for exploring diversification, diversity, difference, transformation, alteration, variation, retouching, and correction.
the chair as a tool for artistic expression
In Federico Babina’s series of Artchairs, the chair becomes more than just a piece of furniture — it becomes a tool for artistic expression. Each variation serves as a new opportunity to portray a fresh interpretation. Babina compares this process to a game, where artists can play with the chair’s form, creating a new work with every iteration. Thirty artists, thirty chairs — each a unique lens through which to contemplate art from a distinct perspective.
The principle of variation in repetition or repetition in variations is a recurring theme in various artistic fields, including literature, music, and the plastic arts. Babina draws inspiration from this formal model, emphasizing the importance of returning to a given subject multiple times. With each return, the subject is reshaped, albeit in a slightly different manner. This, according to Babina, serves as an expedient to unveil the substantial relativity of all things. By shifting an accent, be it in art or language, the meaning undergoes a transformative shift.
project info:
project title: ARTCHAIR: Variations on a theme
designer: Federico Babina
