For many years the Egg chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen and manufactured by Fritz Hansen, has been high on my "most wanted" list. Its simple, graphic shape - a masterful blend of clean lines and inviting comfort - make it a classic that would fit into any home I may live in, anywhere in the world, even as my taste and budget evolve. What's more, it is infinitely easy on the eye - an example of great design that is eternally pleasing yet never imposes itself.
This example, however, takes the Egg to a whole new level. Designed by the artist Tal R as one of a limited edition of 50 unique pieces that Fritz Hansen commissioned to celebrate the chair's 50th anniversary last year, it adds a note of playfulness and cosiness - not to mention colour - to what is normally a sober piece.
What's more, it is a genuine work of art that encapsulates the flamboyantly colourful, slightly hippy-trippy, handcrafted look, of Tal R's paintings. The Tel Aviv-born artist, who has lived in Copenhagen ever since going to art school there, has described his art as kolbojnik (a Hebrew word meaning leftovers or jack-of-all-trades) and, by designing the Egg in patchwork, he has captured that feeling.
"The whole point," he said when he completed the Fritz Hansen commission, "was to make a chair that tells a multitude of stories. So the pieces of cloth had to be full of life. It should look a bit as if it was homemade."
He sourced the fabrics - many of them vintage - from all over the world: New York, Istanbul, Berlin, second-hand shops in Denmark, and a kibbutz in Israel (from where he obtained washed-out work clothes).
Each of the 50 chairs is made in a unique combination of fabrics and different colour scheme, some vivid, some more softly toned. The brightness and detail of this one make it my favourite.
But "desire" this object is probably all I will ever be able to do. The chairs, which are on a touring exhibition around the world, may never be sold, according to Fritz Hansen. And that makes them priceless. In the meantime, I will have to be content with a "regular" Egg chair - at around Dh16,700 ($4,550).
For stockists in the Gulf contact the regional sales manager, Michael Khouri. mkh@fritzhansen.com
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at the Gabba
Australia 312-1
Warner 151 not out, Burns 97, Labuschagne 55 not out
Pakistan 240
Shafiq 76, Starc 4-52
Opening Rugby Championship fixtures: Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
MATCH SCHEDULE
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tuesday, April 24 (10.45pm)
Liverpool v Roma
Wednesday, April 25
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (10.45pm)
Europa League semi-final, first leg
Thursday, April 26
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (11.05pm)
Marseille v Salzburg (11.05pm)
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
