Analysis of Rietveld’s Red and Blue Chair Engineering Research Paper

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Analysis of Rietveld’s Red and Blue Chair
Introduction
4445003434080003529330339915500In 1918, Gerrit Thomas Rietveld (1888-1964) joined a Dutch-based art movement called De Stijl (Flynn 1; Museum 18). According to White (qtd. In Flynn), the art movement required its members to abide with their mandating principle of simplicity and abstraction in pursuance of the creation of objects (Flynn 1; Museum 18). According to White, “The group sought to instill Neoplatonic thought into the design.” It is essential to make use of only plain geometrical shapes such as straight horizontal lines, vertical lines, and rectangular shapes. Added by White (qtd. In Flynn 1), the primary colors of red, blue and yellow as well as the primary hues of black, white and grey are the only color scheme they could use (see Fig. 1) (Flynn 4). This group greatly influenced the Red and Blue chair (Fig. 2) designed by Architect Rietveld, and the chair had the standard bearing position of the art movement alongside the works it is other members (Museum 18). Although a furniture craftsman by profession, in 1924, Rietveld also made building designs throughout the remainder of his life (Shore 22). His most famous building design is known as the Rietveld Schröder House located at Utrecht, Netherlands (Labuttis). He created a direct correlation of this house architecture design with his furniture designs of the Red and Blue chair that was based on the De Stijl art movement (Labuttis; Shore 22). The Red and Blue chair served as an iconic landmark of innovation during that era since nothing like that ever existed (Labuttis).
25879243049Fig. 1. De Stijl art. (Left) Theo van Doesburg, Composition VII (The Three Graces), 1917, Accessed Dec. 17,2018 https://useum.org/artwork/Composition-VII-The-Three-Graces-Theo-van-Doesburg (Right) Piet Mondrian, Ohne Titel (3 works), 1872-1944, Accessed Dec. 17, 2018 /artists/piet-mondrian/ohne-titel-3-works-9Ywh4XAjTFgsLM4egVg6DA200Fig. 1. De Stijl art. (Left) Theo van Doesburg, Composition VII (The Three Graces), 1917, Accessed Dec. 17,2018 https://useum.org/artwork/Composition-VII-The-Three-Graces-Theo-van-Doesburg (Right) Piet Mondrian, Ohne Titel (3 works), 1872-1944, Accessed Dec. 17, 2018 /artists/piet-mondrian/ohne-titel-3-works-9Ywh4XAjTFgsLM4egVg6DA2
5905527305000Form
-55099692705233Fig. 2. Gerrit Rietveld, The Red and Blue Chair, 1918, Accessed Dec. 17, 2018 /furniture/seating/lounge-chairs/gerrit-rietveld-red-blue-chair-cassina/id-f_8888313/00Fig. 2. Gerrit Rietveld, The Red and Blue Chair, 1918, Accessed Dec. 17, 2018 /furniture/seating/lounge-chairs/gerrit-rietveld-red-blue-chair-cassina/id-f_8888313/
The Red and Blue chair is made out from the playful display of straight lines and plain geometrical shapes to form the De Stijl standard pattern. It is visually appealing and close to being a three-dimensional abstract sculpture. The chair, in general, has simple elements, also containing the palette of primary colors red, blue and yellow as well as black stains at its post. The standard color theme was used, the red rectangular plywood as the backrest and the blue rectangular plywood as the seat. Gerrit Rietveld used overlapping joints that are linked at the points of the posts stained with black and yellow at its ends. Its simple shapes and layout expressed throughout the overall design of the chair marked the turning point of innovation during that era.
-114300304800Graphic Analysis
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-1552753829733Fig. 3. Gerrit Rietveld, The Red and Blue Chair Plans, 1917, Accessed Dec. 17, 2018 https://wiki.ead.pucv.cl/Silla_Red_and_Blue. (Upper Left) Frontal view showing dimensions and elevations, (Lower Left) Lateral view showing dimensions and elevations, (Right) Superior view showing dimensions.00Fig. 3. Gerrit Rietveld, The Red and Blue Chair Plans, 1917, Accessed Dec. 17, 2018 https://wiki.ead.pucv.cl/Silla_Red_and_Blue. (Upper Left) Frontal view showing dimensions and elevations, (Lower Left) Lateral view showing dimensions and elevations, (Right) Superior view showing dimensions.
Parts to whole and Connections
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-46990228600Fig. 4. . (Left) Gerrit Rietveld, The Red and Blue Chair Plans, 1917, Accessed Dec. 17, 2018 https://wiki.ead.pucv.cl/Silla_Red_and_Blue (Right) Three dimensional joint, Rietveld Joint, 1999, Accessed Dec. 17, 2018 /bamboojoint.html00Fig. 4. . (Left) Gerrit Rietveld, The Red and Blue Chair Plans, 1917, Accessed Dec. 17, 2018 https://wiki.ead.pucv.cl/Silla_Red_and_Blue (Right) Three dimensional joint, Rietveld Joint, 1999, Accessed Dec. 17, 2018 /bamboojoint.html
Table 1
The discrete parts of the chair as well as the number and hole locations as pointed in the image above (see Fig. 4) and in the graphic analysis.
Parts

No.

Dowel Holes Location

An Armrest

2

Centered holes at 75 mm (2.95 in ) and at 245 mm (9.65 in) from the back edge, on center in width, and 2 holes, one 15 mm (0.59 in ) in from each side, 45 mm (1.77 in) from the back edge

B Back Legs

2

1 hole at 15 mm (0.59 in ) from the top on the back, and 1 one hole at 385 mm (15.16 in ) from the top on the inside, 1 right and 1 left

C Armrest Post

2

355 mm (13.98 in ) from top: 1 hole at 255 mm (10.04 in ) on the front, 1 hole on the back and one hole at 385 mm on the inside ( 1 right and 1 left )

D Long Rails

2

1 right and 1 left, measuring from back, holes in the outside at 45 mm, at 215 mm (8.46 in ) and at 615 mm (24.21 in ), and at 185 mm (7.28 in ) and 585 mm (23.03 in ) on the top, the last two drilled through

E Front Legs

2

1 left and 1 right, holes at 45 mm (1.77 in) and 215 mm (8.46 in) from the top on the back, 1 hole at 24 mm (0.94 in) from the top on the inside.

F Cross Rails

4

A&B: in each, 2 holes on the front at 45 mm (1.77 in ) from ends, and 2 more holes on the underside at 75 mm (2.95 in) from the ends

G Back Batten

1

Two holes at 45 mm (1.77 in) and 105 mm (4.13 in)from each end drilled through

H Back

1

To be screwed centered onto crossed rails with countersink wood screws

I Seat

1

To be screwed centered onto crossed rails with countersink wood screws

Structure
The chair's structure is as straightforward as it seems. The chairs are armchairs that have a relaxed back angled backrest, short enough to support the lumbar and thoracic regions of the back as well as parts of the cervical region. The chair has armrest at the height of the chest of a person while sitting on the chair since the blue seat of the chair is angled, the armrest provides additional support to the person while standing up after lying. One element ...