Han Seungmin creates chair from the steel fences of Brooklyn

"Walking through various Asian neighbourhoods in New York, one simply cannot miss the flashy presence of the highly polished, shiny stainless steel fences, guardrails, doors, and even awnings that line the brick and concrete buildings. More than distinct, these fences can often be a highly polarising aesthetic, if not downright unapologetic - an aptly defiant attitude for a current political climate where immigrant communities are unceasingly targeted."

"The chair challenges the idyllic image of the 'American Dream' from an immigrant perspective. Part of the fencing's appeal is in its modularity, durability and affordability, while also providing security. The design is well known in New York, with the New York Times calling it a status symbol of Asian American and West Indian households."

Designer Han Seungmin created the White Picket Chair using mass-produced stainless-steel fencing components manufactured in Brooklyn. These shiny, polished fences are ubiquitous in Asian and West Indian neighborhoods throughout New York City, originally mass-produced in China during the 1980s. The chair features a curved backrest with orb-shaped decorative finials matching household fencing tops, with its seat and stretchers made from pickets. Han designed the piece to challenge the idealized image of the American Dream from an immigrant perspective. The fencing appeals to communities for its modularity, durability, affordability, and security. The New York Times has identified this design as a status symbol of Asian American and West Indian households, reflecting its cultural significance across multiple countries including South Korea.

Read at Dezeen