The Djinn chair is an important design of the "Modernist" style, created by French designer Olivier Mourgue.[2] Originally called the "Low fireside chair",[2] it is also commonly referred to as the "2001" chair, because of its prominent appearance in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The Djinn chair is one element of a series of Djinn furniture designed by noted French designer Olivier Mourgue.[2] In 1964 the first piece of the series, a chaise longue, was introduced by Airborne in Merignac Cedex, France.[2] The rest of the series was released in 1965, and includes the iconic "Low fireside chair", a two seat sofa, and a foot stool.[2] The set remained in production until 1976. The name "Djinn" refers to an Islamic spirit capable of changing shape.[1] The design's low profile was an attempt to emulate the informal lifestyle of the time.[1] The set was introduced during a time when growing interest in Eastern mysticism was influencing Western decorative arts. The stretch jersey covering used for the Djinn series did not wear well.
[3] Worse yet, the polyether foam used in construction of Djinn chairs has a tendency to degrade over time, causing the pieces to become unusable.[3] "Things should have a short life," Mr. Mourgue said in 1965, when he was 26. Djinn chairs were sold worldwide, and in Europe they have become valuable designer collectibles.[3] Values in Europe remain varied depending on condition, with professionally restored chairs selling for $1,000 or more, and sofas for more than $1,800.[] In the United States the chairs remain largely forgotten,[3] and little effort at restoration has occurred. A 1964-1965 green Djinn Chaise Longue is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It was donated by George Tanier, Inc. in 1966 [1] ^ a b c d e ^ a b c d e f ^ a b c d eOr are you looking for Search the Archives? Please complete the form to email this item. Mourgue, Olivier, born 1939 Object:ChairPlace of origin:Paris (designed) 1964 (manufactured)Artist/Maker:Mourgue, Olivier, born 1939 (designer)
Airborne (manufacturer)Materials and Techniques:Tubular steel structure with rubber webbing (Pirelli), polyurethan foam, and red jersey cover (stretch wool from Bernard Joliet), chrome metal, zippersMuseum number:CIRC.202-1969Gallery location:Temporary Exhibition space, case FS11, shelf , box SummaryMore informationMapDownload PDF versionThe Djinn chair is an icon of 1960s futuristic design, because it was featured in interiors of the influential science fiction movie '2001: A Space Odyssey', made by Stanley Kubrick in 1969. By then the chair was already seven years old, having been designed in 1963 by Olivier Mourgue when he was just twenty-four. The organic, one-piece form of the chair appears to have been cut and folded from a single piece of material and this feature relates it to many others designs of chairs from the1960s. Mourgue's innovation was to upholster the entire chair. The extremely low seat meant the Djinn chair was for lounging upon, rather than for more formal sitting, reflecting the increasingly relaxed social mores of the decade.
The chair was complemented by the Djinn chaise longue, an even more relaxing daybed conceived and constructed along similar lines. An example is in the V&A's collections (see Circ.201-1969).Physical descriptionOne piece chair entirely padded and covered with red jersey upholstery (original), the left and right side panels continuous with the seat, the shield-shaped back panel continuous with the back of the seat. A long steel tube (22 mm diameter) was welded and bent into a wide rectangular with rounded corners to form a seat. Below the bend of the sides an individual tube connects front and back tube to support the sides of the chair. In about the middle of the back of the seat two single tubes are welded into the tube to hold a small tube rectangle serving as the chair's back rest. The finish of seat and back tubes is black matte. Seat and back rest are covered with webbing (Pirelli, rubber straps) fixed with round metal rivets at both ends. The vertical metallic straight parts on each side are covered with strong canvas which is glued.
Individual layers of polyurethane foam are glued (35mm on top and bottom) to sandwich top and bottom of seat with sides as well as the back. The polyurethane sandwich form a continuous shape. The whole chair is then slipped into a removable jersey top cover (wool jersey with elastic mesh in both directions) closed with zippers running from the bottom of the back rest all way down on both sides. A small chrome metal skid, which ends are slightly curved up, are screwed with two metal screws under each of the sides to protect the cover. Beneath the ski bases runs another zip.Place of OriginParis (designed) 1964 (manufactured)Artist/makerMourgue, Olivier, born 1939 (designer) Airborne (manufacturer)Materials and TechniquesTubular steel structure with rubber webbing (Pirelli), polyurethan foam, and red jersey cover (stretch wool from Bernard Joliet), chrome metal, zippersDimensionsHeight: 66.5 cm, Width: 67 cm, Depth: 70 cmObject history noteThe Djinn chairs (1965) became well-known for furnishing a futuristic rotating Hilton hotel in space in the film '2001: A Space Odyssey' by Stanley Kubrick.
/ 17/11/2011): Mourgue named the chairs 'Djinn" which in Muslim legend means a spirit often capable of assuming human or animal form and exercising supernatural influence over people. Morgue also claims that Kubrick destroyed all the sets and props of '2001: A Space Odyssey', afraid that they might fall into the hands of lesser directors. According to correspondence with Olivier Mourgue (6 August 2012): With the Djinn chair, Mourgue was looking for a light chair that could be carried under the arm, hence it is very light weight chair. 'There was an idea of playfulness, of a family of different models and of travel. Children were particularly sensitive to the soft and comfy texture and would hide underneath in little dens. Like a piece of clothing, one could easily change the covers, with the zipper, to wash them.' Mourgue mentions: 'There was a concept of recycling of the materials and components of the chair.' (see correspondence with Jana Scholze, 6 August 2012) There were two phases of production:
1. 1964 to 1970: back made from tubes 2. from 1970s onwards: back made of laminated plywood The stretch wool or jersey was from Bernard Joliet and was available in 15 different colours. There was no calico or other lining between straps and foam of the seat as well as nothing between foam and wool jersey.Historical context noteDjinn furniture was used as props for the film by Stanley Kubrik: 2001: A Space Odyseey' (1968).Descriptive lineDjinn Easy Chair, designed by Oliver Mourgue, manufactured by Airborne, 1963Labels and date‘Djinn’ chair Olivier Mourgue (born 1939) Manufactured 1964 by Airborne, Montreuil-sous-Bois Upholstery (original): polyurethane foam and jersey cover Polyurethane foam is an aerated synthetic material. It was developed for seating in the 1950s as a cheaper and easier method than stuffing or springs. The organic form of this chair appears to be a single piece of cut and folded material. In fact, under the stretchy cover, a steel structure and webbing support polyurethane foam wadding, cut to shape from blocks.