Art on Chairs

Art on Chairs is an international event that promotes design and contemporary creativity as driving forces for innovation in industry and development across the board.

It is an initiative by the Municipality of Paredes that seeks to reposition the territory as a reference in the production of high-quality furniture, Art on Chairs brings together creation and production, culture and economy, local assets and global opportunities.

This translates into a programme of competitions, exhibitions, lectures, workshops, educational and cultural activities, in a dynamic of engagement that expands from the local context to achieve international reach.

In view of this, its programme fosters design practice in synch with the industrial fabric, the generation and sharing of original content – especially objects – and the dissemination of content, in line with concerns of social responsibility and sustainability, through an international circuit of prestigious design events that work as a flagship for the creativity and craftsmanship of the Paredes territory and the unique synergies it affords.

The premiere edition in 2012 had a more experimental character and has been selected by the European Commission to RegioStars, awarded to the most inspiring and innovative regional projects.

Art on Chairs became a case study for success. The exhibition Duets invited internationally recognized designers to produce 11 chairs inspired by public figures, which by the end of 2012 were auctioned by the prestigious Christie's, raising more than 100 thousand euros that have reverted entirely for educational UNHCR projects in Africa, directly benefiting 3,700 war refugee children in Syria.

Chaise Longue CR7, by Nini Andrade Silva, inspired on Cristiano Ronaldo

Z'Alma, by AA Arquitectos Anónimos/Inês Gonçalves, inspired on fotógrafo Zalmaï

Quem sonha ganha, by Riccardo Dailisi, inspired on José Ramos Horta

Lusíadas, by Rui Pedro Freire e José Luís Ferreira, inspired on José Mourinho

Work President, by Paulo Lobo, inspired on Aníbal Cavaco Silva

Oásis, by Paolo Rizzatto, inspired on Maria Bethânia

United Colours for Benetton, by Luís Pereira Miguel, inspired on Luciano Benetton

(Un)noted, by Design Factory, inspired on Eduardo Souto de Moura

Oro e Nero, by Alessandro Mendini, inspired on Mariza

Princesa da África, by Luigi Baroli, inspired on Mia Couto

Intemporal, by Paolo Deganello, inspired on Manoel de Oliveira

This year's edition is presented next July 1, at MUDE – Museu do Design e da Moda in Lisbon, and aims more incisive results, selecting as guidelines: focus on the design and Portuguese authors; strategic direction of creative challenges for production in the luxury segment; gaining visibility with international markets and audiences.

The event will also be presented as a showcase in Beijing, Dubai and Milan, between September 2014 and April 2015.

More at: www.artonchairs.com