BETA
Chapter 1
The Art of Fake Furniture
Chapter 2
The Mystery of the Blps
Chapter 3
Painting on Bumpy Walls
YOUR GOAL
Master of Richard Artschwager's strange objects
Ch 1 · The Art of Fake Furniture
andy Richard Artschwager's Objects
What looks like furniture, oh, what do you see? / Richard Artschwager's Formica trickery!
andy Did you know Formica is actually a photo of wood? View our infographic to discover the history and design process behind this iconic laminate art.
jcisco Explore the boundary between utility and art. Discover how functional furniture transforms into sculpture when its purpose is challenged in this study.
Fun Fact
Fake Furniture: Artschwager used Formica because it looks like wood but is actually industrial plastic. This helped him turn everyday objects into strange sculptures that aren't what they seem.
Glossary
formica (noun)
A durable plastic material often used for kitchen countertops that can be printed to look like wood, stone, or marble. Richard Artschwager used it to build 'fake furniture,' turning ordinary household materials into sleek, confusing works of art. It’s like a costume for furniture that tricks your eyes into seeing heavy oak when you’re actually looking at smooth plastic.
A durable plastic material often used for kitchen countertops that can be printed to look like wood, stone, or marble. Richard Artschwager used it to build 'fake furniture,' turning ordinary household materials into sleek, confusing works of art. It’s like a costume for furniture that tricks your eyes into seeing heavy oak when you’re actually looking at smooth plastic.
Fun Fact
Ordinary Art: Richard Artschwager used kitchen Formica to craft sculptures that look like real wooden furniture. These clever illusions trick viewers into seeing functional objects instead of solid art.
Glossary
formica (noun)
A plastic laminate Artschwager used to craft deceptive sculptures that mimic everyday furniture. It is the synthetic skin that makes a cold box look like a warm wooden table.
A plastic laminate Artschwager used to craft deceptive sculptures that mimic everyday furniture. It is the synthetic skin that makes a cold box look like a warm wooden table.
Fun Fact
Carpentry Skills: Richard Artschwager once made a living building storage trunks and furniture before his art career took off in his late thirties.
Quiz
Before Richard Artschwager became a full-time artist, what was his professional trade?