Sometimes human beings can be such antisocial creatures. Conversing with either friends or strangers is fine; in fact, I enjoy both immensely. There is always something new to learn, especially from strangers. Whether you meet them as you wait for your flight or strike up a few words with them in a hotel lobby somewhere, you get to know a bit about where they’re from, where they’re going, what their plans are for the next few minutes or hours.
But sometimes all you want to do is to be left alone with your thoughts. While seated in the reception room of a hotel or restaurant, how do you deflect a stranger’s attention or reject his or her overtures at conversation without appearing rude? Well, discourage that conversational opportunities by using appropriate furniture, such as the talking armchairs by Danish designer Louise Campbell.
These were designed by her in 2002 for a solo exhibition titled, aptly enough, “Waiting Rooms.” I’m thinking that if they ever go into commercial production, they would do well as commercial reception chairs, a welcome relief to customers who would rather sit in silence rather than suffer through unwanted conversation with strangers.
Except that they wouldn’t be sitting in silence. There’s a sound system in each chair’s headrest which is activated when someone sits in it. One chair will tell you that it has fallen in love with you and wants to be with you for all time. Another chair will give a lesson in the Spanish language. One will croon you a song. And the last one should be called the Grumpy Chair; it will grumble at you for sitting without asking for permission.
The chairs have wooden frames that are covered in upholstery. A sensor is embedded to activate the sound systems once somebody sits in them. Originally manufactured by Erik Jørgensens Møbelfabrik, they are now owned by the Trapholt Museum of Art and Design.
