Chair Transformation Number 20B, artwork by Lucas Samaras
Chair Transformation Number 20B is an abstract bronze sculpture by Lucas Samaras created in 1996, located in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. The work transforms the recognizable form of a chair through unexpected angles and curves into something visually unfamiliar that merely hints at what it once was.
The work was created in 1996 by artist Lucas Samaras, who specializes in transforming everyday objects into abstract forms. It is part of a series where the artist reimagined chairs as artistic subjects, pushing the boundaries of how we understand functional design.
The title reflects the artist's intent to fundamentally reimagine a familiar object. The work demonstrates how artists use everyday items to invite viewers to reconsider form and perception in ways they might otherwise overlook.
The sculpture sits outdoors in the Sculpture Garden where you can walk around it and view it from multiple angles. The reflective bronze surface shifts in appearance depending on the time of day and weather, offering different visual experiences with each visit.
The work is part of a series of chair transformations by the artist, a fact many visitors overlook when encountering just this single piece. This reveals how Samaras deeply explored a theme, developing multiple variations on the same artistic concept.
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