Chac Seat

2005

Designer

Mauricio Lara Eguiluz, Mexican, 1968-: Born: Mexico City, Mexico; Work Locations: Jalisco, Mexico

Country

Mexico

Object

lounge chair

Medium

Polyurethane foam

Accession Number

2017.39

Credit Line

Funds from Alianza de las Artes Americanas and Design Council of the Denver Art Museum

Mauricio Lara Eguiluz, Chac Seat, 2005. Polyurethane foam; 20 x 31 2/5 x 17 3/4 in. Denver Art Museum: Funds from Alianza de las Artes Americanas and Design Council of the Denver Art Museum, 2017.39. © Mauricio Lara Eguiluz

Dimensions

height: 20 in, 50.8 cm; length: 31 3/8 in, 79.6925 cm; width: 17 3/4 in, 45.0850 cm

Department

Architecture and Design

Collection

Architecture and Design-Latin American Art

This object is currently on view

Mauricio Lara Eguiluz
Mexican, born 1968
Chac Seat
2005
Polyurethane foam
Funds from Alianza de las Artes Americanas and Design Council of the Denver Art Museum, 2017.39

This form of this lounge chair is based on Maya chacmool sculptures familiar throughout Mexico. The stone sculptures depict slain warriors or captives reclining with feet flat on the ground, knees bent, and heads turned. Like other contemporary Mexican designers searching for a national identity, Mauricio Lara Eguiluz draws influence from Maya and Aztec artifacts. Lara states, “I was looking for a representative and unique element of some of the most emblematic prehispanic cultures of our country, I found the chacmool. Its role as a messenger between the gods and humans gave me the silhouette to create the unique design of this seat.”

Known Provenance

Purchased January 2017 from the designer by the Denver Art Museum.

Exhibition History

“By Design: Stories and Ideas Behind Objects (2nd Rotation)” — Denver Art Museum, 2/5/2024 – 2/5/2025