Prosthetic, 2001
Found wooden chair, brass
Lent by Douglas Nielsen

Instead of upholstery, Prosthetic introduces “upholdstery,” a reversible solution that preserves a historical artifact while giving it a new lease on life. The asymmetrical brass contraption that carefully supports the broken elements of this chair effectively provides a visual diagnosis of the “patient’s” precise injuries. Lateral and vertical forces are exerted where necessary, tightened rings bind splitting wood together, and the shattered rush seat is echoed by a cobbled-together brass circle that floats above it, slightly off center.

This rather average example of a mid-19th century ladder-back, Shaker style chair was far beyond salvation. The feet had been cut down to the point that the bottom back two dowel joints were ruined, the back right leg was split, the seat (out of which a dead mouse fell on to my studio floor upon arrival) was long gone, and every joint was loose beyond repair, normally falling within the category of “not worth it.”

I set myself the challenge of “restoring” my neglected, forlorn little friend. The wooden structure was fitted with metal braces wherever necessary while at the same time causing the required surface to be 24 inches above grade. This prosthetic made from bits and pieces of brass I had around the shop does not enter the flesh of the patient and is fully reversible if necessary. The chair is now completely rigid while the brace is attached, the stool’s surface is attained, although rather desperately, while feeding on the substructure of the ladder-back chair. –GP