The KLIPPAN sofa from IKEA: who doesn't know it? It’s the anchor in practically every student room in Groningen. And it can be yours for just 169 euros. If you want one on the wall, then you will pay significantly more. The galerie with tsjalling, which recently moved to the Kostersgang opposite the police station, features the sofa 'hanging' for 450 euros.
Anyone who thinks IKEA furniture is mass produced is wrong. Here it suddenly becomes unique. The Mesoscope exhibit, with paintings by Erica Scheper (and photography and drawings by Rosa Everts), proves this. And we noticed: Never before have we stared at Ikea's BEKVÄM stool for as long as we have now. What was normally little more than an everyday household tool is now hardcore art.
The IKEA furniture pieces are stylised objects, each with a different background. The artist seems to be saying that everyone has IKEA in their house and that it is accepted. This is not only true for the kitchen stairs, but also for the sofa and the metal PS cupboard that can be found in every interior space: living rooms, offices and galleries. We even found the cabinet under Tsjalling's desk. This just goes to show how prevalent it is.
Scheper has also painted true design icons. For example, she has captured the Poldersofa (7000 euros) by Hella Jongerius (produced at Vitra) and the Egg Chair (5000 euros) by Arne Jacobsen (produced at Fritz Hansen). And the price list indicates that those paintings are a lot cheaper than the furniture depicted. Design and artwork in one — what a bargain!
The Mesoscope exhibit with work by Erica Scheper and Rosa Everts will be on display until 18 July 2015 at galerie with tsjalling, located at Kostersgang 26r. Visit www.withtsjalling.nl as well.
Text: Peter Dicke & Walter de Boer
Image: gallery with tsjalling: