Kartell Papyrus Chair, Set of 2 designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
At A Glance: With the Louis Ghost Chair, Kartell created a landmark statement in furniture design: older, antiquated forms can be reborn with new materials with startling success. The Papyrus Chair makes a similar statement. Crafted by the Bouroullec brothers (known for a deeply conceptual style), Papyrus is a remake of the archetypal antique rush chair, when chair design focused on a robust form. Sold as a set of 2 chairs.
What's To Like:
Transparent and strong? Yes, they can coexist.
The Bouroullec brothers have earned high critical praise, in part due to their work on this chair's design.
This chair is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. What better for the breezy patio than a light, airy chair?
What's Not to Like: Innovative design and material aside, some people want a traditional chair. We get that.
The Bottom Line: This Kartell chair combines a narrow vertical pebbling with a translucent support, spanning the entire outside of the rounded backrest. Papyrus is lightweight at just 12.5 pounds, yet its seat is comfortable and welcoming.
Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, born 1971 and 1976, respectively, in Quimper, France, studied at the Ecole Nationale des Arts Decoratifs in Paris and at the Eole des Beaux-Arts in Cergy-Pontoise. Ronan began independent design work immediately after completing his studies, while his brother, who was still in school, assisted him. Since 1999, both brothers have worked together as joint partners in their own design firm. Their work ranges from small utilitarian objects to architectural projects. In addition to the design of domestic and office furniture, vases, porcelain dishware, jewelry and diverse home accessories, a primary focus of their work is the design and organization of interior space. Today, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec design for numerous manufacturers, namely Vitra, Kartell, Established and Sons, and Cappellini. At the same time, they maintain an experimental activity which is essential to the development of their work at Galerie kreo, Paris, where four exhibitions of their designs have been held between 2001 and 2008.
Contrary to the common idea, products in plastic materials are highly ecological for the reason that they can be recycled (with the exception of polyurethane, little used in Kartell products). Thus, Kartell products can be easily recycled. In order to simplify the recycling process, the various components of Kartell products can be easily separated and reduced to elements made of one single material. Moreover, the plastic parts of each product carry, clearly printed, an identification mark to determine the correct classification of the different kinds of plastic and their effective recycling.
Creativity and technology, glamour and functionality, quality and innovation: a combination of extraordinary factors together with a strategic vision of distribution has contributed to the lasting success of Kartell. By cultural and entrepreneurial choice, since its origins in 1949 the Italian manufacturer has chosen to characterize itself as the market leader in the production of designers articles which use technology and plastic materials. This choice requires a great understanding of materials and transformation technology. A leader in furniture design, Kartell addresses an international audience with a collection unique in originality, variety, size, and range.
Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
