The Spine Chair dates from Dubreuil's 1985 meeting with Tom Dixon, who taught him how to curve and weld concrete reinforcing bars. Its calligraphic interplay of arabesques, coils and curves gives lightness and suppleness to this chair with its three legs, whilst at the same time alleviating the ruggedness of the reinforcing bar. Dubreuil advocated a return to ornamentation as a way of bringing a touch of humanity into modern interiors; this was accompanied by a fresh emphasis on craft values. Dubreuil's background in antiques and his historical knowledge led him to renew the ornamental vocabulary of metal furniture whilst playing with the concepts of daring, elegant line and undisguised ease and comfort. Here triumphant ornament takes the place of structure.
Text: Laurence Bartoletti
