Furniture and Artwork as Paradoxical Counterparts in the Work of Donald Judd

• Published in: Design issues 2011-07, Vol.27 (3), p.47-59
• Main Author: Murayama, Nina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Art exhibitions; Art objects; Chairs; Design; Furniture design; Furniture making; Furniture tables; Minimalism; Museum exhibits; Visual arts
• ISSN: 0747-9360; 1531-4790
• DOI: 10.1162/DESI_a_00090

A study of the links between the furniture produced by American sculptor and artist Donald Judd, and his artworks. Initially Judd fabricated his own art pieces, but had no interest in the actual process and hired outside firms to produce his metal pieces to his exacting specifications. Early bookshelves are reminiscent of his 'Stacks' pieces, with individual units of shelves which could be arranged in a similar way to 'Stacks'. Judd wanted the viewer to both look at and understand his works as a single process, without a metaphysical interpolation of interpretation. His furniture, like his art, poses questions about its identity, as to whether it is furniture or art, and precisely what its functional identity is. Judd managed his furniture production more as a small business operation, developing new designs which were fabricated by small workshops, and his artwork and furniture pieces were made by different companies, mainly as a matter of convenience, so that neither would be overwhelmed when he was preparing for an exhibition. Because Judd was neither trained as an architect or a designer, his furniture has not established a status where it is collected by major art and design museums, and is most likely to be appreciated by those who already are familiar with his art. Critics seemed confused by his furniture, which was perceived as artwork rather than usable pieces; the conventional division between furniture and fine art has led to them being under-represented in the public arena.