Chiswick Auctions is excited to present two iconic chairs, the design of which was chosen by Stanley Kubrick for his classic 1969 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, in the Design sale at Chiswick Auctions this Tuesday, February 11th, 2020. The Djinn chairs were designed by Olivier Mourgue in 1965, while he was working for the French manufacturer Airborne International, and epitomise ’60s ‘futuristic’ design. The design has gone on to take a place in interior design history. The chairs were not designed specifically for the film, but were chosen by Kubrick and his team to create a futuristic scene in the movie, when Dr Floyd walks through the Hilton lobby of Space Station Five on his way to the moon.
The name Djinn comes from an Islamic mythological spirit that can change shape, from human to animal. The chairs have a ‘Wave like’, low slung silhouette and are made from tubular steel, covered in foam padding. Upholstered in jersey fabric, the single and doubled seated versions of the chair were complimented by an ottoman, a chaise-longue and a day-bed.
Fabric
In Kubrick’s film the chairs appear as a vivid red, due to the lighting, but they actually had a slightly magenta pink tonality. Although they typify the 60s, they look contemporary in today’s interiors, especially when contrasted with popular white walls.
Liz Winnicott, Head of Chiswick Auctions Design & Interiors department comments: “We are thrilled to offer such iconic chairs and a sofa in the same design, specifically chosen by Kubrick for a film that pushed the boundaries on futuristic design and ideology.”
The two chairs and sofa are being offered in the upcoming Design sale at Chiswick Auctions this Tuesday, February 11th, 2020. One chair (Lot 89) is estimated to fetch £550-650 and another chair (Lot 337) is estimated at £500-£800, while a sofa in the design is estimated to fetch £1,100-1,300.
See also: Stanley Kubrick Exhibition Opens at Design Museum London
Continuing the Illustrious History of Furniture Making
