Slice chair by Mathias Bengtsson

Danish-born Mathias Bengtsson (b. 1971), who resides in London and Stockholm, created the Slice chair concept, which weds organic shapes with cutting-edge technology, in 1999. Slice began as a hand-modeled clay form that blurs a chair’s distinction between armrests, backrest, legs and frame. The organic shape was sliced into horizontal layers, digitally manipulated, formed again by a laser cutter, and then hand assembled and polished.

Bengtsson is known for cutting edge designs made from industrial and high tech materials. Slice is constructed as an assemblage of horizontal cross-sections that stack together into a distinct lateral profile. The designer chose aluminum for its reflective quality, and each of the 125 3mm thick laser cut layers is hand waxed and polished. The 3mm thickness provides both structural integrity and sufficient reflective edge surface to enhance the overall effect of a shimmering object. The limited edition Slice has also been produced in plywood, cardboard and foam. Milwaukee’s version was produced by the artist for the Museum in December 2010.

Washington, DC (April 28, 2011) – Industry Gallery today announced the acquisition by the Milwaukee Art Museum of a limited edition aluminum Slice chair by Danish-born designer Mathias Bengtsson. The Milwaukee Art Museum’s Friends of Art supported the purchase of the important design, the first work by Bengtsson to enter the Museum’s collection. The Milwaukee chair, number 14 from an edition of 20, is comprised of 125 stacked horizontal hand-polished aluminum slices.