Pina
Pina is a minimalist chair by the Berlin-based design and research practice, Studio Œ. Made from marble and corian, a material derived from a blend of acrylic polymer and natural minerals, Pina is a throne that pays homage to the Roman empress, Agrippina the younger.
As the founder of what is now modern-day Cologne, Germany, Agrippina was one of the most prominent women in politics of her time. Described as beautiful, ambitious, and simultaneously characterized as “domineering” and “ruthless”, Agrippina was later denounced by her son, Nero, as well as throughout history by male historians.
“The dubious and contradictory reputation of Agrippina raises questions about male historiography and who or what is responsible for the transmission of knowledge and history,” shares Studio Œ’s founders, Lisa Ertel and Anne-Sophie Oberkrome. “Was Agrippina a bloodthirsty ruler, or did she simply interfere too much in politics for a woman, and was therefore denounced by her own son and male historians? Those questions are petrified in marble and its corian counterpart, complementing themselves in the throne, ‘Pina’.”
Pina, as a piece of furniture, is a dedication to Agrippina and questions the male-centric canonical view of history. With its gracious and curved form, Pina mimics the Roman empress’ sitting posture, as was depicted in the remaining statues dedicated to her since their destruction at the behest of Nero.