August 26, 2007

Why is your chair obese?
The piece is obviously about consumption. It gives the opportunity to a particular viewer to grab their stomach and say, "Wow. That's me." I felt that this Eames chair was a crucial part of American iconography -- I think it really resonates with a wide range of people. And the standard structure of the Eames lounger was conducive to expanding its upholstery. I thought of using a La-Z-Boy. But you can't easily make a La-Z-Boy any fatter than it is. You can just make it bigger.

» Wentzel's "XLounge" is on display in "Useless," a show of radical design objects that runs through Sept. 8 at Washington's Project 4 gallery.