Lasse Schmidt Hansen

3107/3107, 2008

Lasse Schmidt Hansen works with adherence to and deviation from formalized standards, and the role of perception. Through minimal modifications of standard DIN (German Industrial Standard) measurement coordinates the artist attempts to open our eyes to the incidental nature of rules, regulations and prescriptions which determine sizes and volumes of most objects of everyday use. The piece 3107/3107 shows two certified copies of Arne Jacobsen’s popular design classic of the Series 7 chair. This chair, designed in 1955, became one of the most popular late 20th and early 21st century chairs. Placing two of the mass-produced copies of a licensed reproduction of the ‘original’ next to each other reveals slight differences in size, what is showing exactly the notion of variation regarding DIN standards Schmidt Hansen is interested in. It is impossible to account for the moment the deviation or unfaithfulness to the ‘original’ occurred in this ongoing process of working from an original standard. Perception, optical illusion, mind over matter, same, same but different: “By changing any design the whole perception of the world will change with it, even if it’s just with an inch.” (L.S.H.)