(smow)offline: Panton by Vitra at Wasserschloss Klaffenbach

Verner Panton

Although in the course of his career Verner Panton worked with numerous designer furniture producers, his name is undoubtedly most closely associated with Vitra.

Not least because of his seminal Panton Chair.

The exhibition “Panton by Vitra” at Wasserschloss Klaffenbach in Chemnitz offers visitors an insight into the life and work of one of the most important and influential post-war European designers.

Panton by Vitra at Wasserschloss Klaffenbach, Chemnitz (photo: Heiko Hillig)

While still a student Verner Panton worked in Arne Jacobsen’s Copenhagen office and was involved in the early development stages of the Ant Chair. Following his graduation Verner Panton set out on his own and following brief stopovers in Norway, Tenerife and France, Verner Panton moved to Basel in 1963 and found not only a new home, but in Vitra a producer for his Panton Chair.

A cooperation that benefited both parties.

Verner Panton began the development of the Panton Chair in the mid-1950s but had never managed to convince anyone to produce it; for Vitra the Panton Chair was the first project where they worked together with the designer on the development of the product, and as such defined the start of a new approach by the company.

Panton by Vitra at Wasserschloss Klaffenbach - Panton Chair and Living Tower (photo: Heiko Hillig)

Verner Panton’s relationship with Vitra was however not only professional but also personal; In the late 1960s Verner Panton designed the interior of Vitra chairman Rolf Fehlbaum’s flat in Basel – each room being decorated and furnished in a different colour.

Through examples of Verner Panton’s work and photographs the exhibition “Panton by Vitra” explains the background to some of the most important collaborations between Verner Panton and Vitra and brings the work of the designer and his relationship with Vitra to life.

A, literal, highpoint of “Panton by Vitra” – especially for children – is the climbable Living Tower.

“Panton by Vitra” at Wasserschloss Klaffenbach runs until June 20th

Wasserschloß Klaffenbach
Wasserschloßweg 6
09123 Chemnitz
+49 (0)371 26635-0