Eugeni Quitllet, a tireless creator, utilizes all available resources and his brilliant capacity for association to find inspiration. Marcel Breuer, Oscar Schlemmer, Pablo Picasso, and “Beauty and the Beast” serve as elements that inspire him to design the Tube chair a steel tube chair with a hidden mask beneath the seat.
Marcel Breuer designed the Wassili chair, one of the first chairs made with steel tube, drawing inspiration from observing a bicycle, also constructed from tube.
The resilience needed to support a person seated on a bicycle lent itself to the idea of durability required for a chair. This is a compelling example of how designs can emerge from reflecting on objects that, at first glance, seem unrelated to the intended creation. One of the most evocative images associated with the Wassili chair is that of Marcel Breuer seated in it
The other reference is that of a woman with a mask sitting in the chair. This photograph was taken by a student of the Bauhaus and shows a woman wearing a theater mask designed by Bauhaus professor Oscar Schlemmer, known for the Triadic Ballet.
These are two of the references that form part of Quitllet’s inspiration: the chairs and masks of the Bauhaus. The other aspect of his inspiration is associated with Pablo Picasso. It is widely known that the figure of the bull or the minotaur appears frequently in Picasso’s work, whether in sculptures, drawings, or paintings. His affinity for African masks is also notable, as he had a collection of them. Furthermore, the painter depicted himself wearing masks on several occasions.
As previously mentioned, the bull and the minotaur figure prominently in Picasso’s work. From this artist, we’d like to spotlight “Tête de taureau,” a sculpture crafted from bicycle components: featuring a leather seat for the head and horns fashioned from handlebar tubing.
The Minotaur evokes immediate associations with “Beauty and the Beast.” This connection is not confined solely to the drawing found in the Suite Volard but extends to the numerous occasions when Picasso depicts it throughout his career.
Quitllet skillfully connects all these references with the TUBE chair. Its seat features a mask drawn underneath, echoing Schlemmer’s and Breuer’s works. Breuer’s steel tube structure and bicycle are reminiscent of Picasso’s sculpture “Tête de taureau.” Additionally, Picasso’s Minotaur, intertwined with the story of “Beauty and the Beast,” influences Quitllet’s narrative of the chair. The designer aims to pay homage to both poetry and industry, juxtaposing the chair’s feminine shape with the robustness of the tube structure industry.
I could start by congratulating you for all these years, but what comes from my heart is gratitude. Thank you for allowing me to share the journey with you, for making each photo shoot fill me with emotion, excitement and happiness, and for allowing me to see the magic that suddenly appears in the details of a chair, in the shadow of a shelf, in a set of stools…
Celebrating you is a source of pride for the marvellous job you have done.
What values would you highlight from Mobles 114?
The values that I would highlight from Mobles114 are visible in each piece: confidence, subtlety and quality.
Confidence: You believe in everyone involved in Mobles114, throughout the entire creation process until it reaches the people who will use your products. It’s a teamwork environment where each element is important and valued.
Subtlety: Your products are devoid of superfluous elements; everything is where it belongs, everything seems simple within complexity. Special attention is paid to details that may go unnoticed but are the foundation of each piece.
Quality: Mobles114 is meticulous, using resistant and durable materials, and with those manufacturing processes that best adapt to each piece. This is why Mobles114 products are timeless and capable of accompanying people throughout their lives.
How would you define the path we have followed over the last 50 years?
Rigorous and flexible. A company that has been in existence for 50 years has had to be flexible, prioritize what is best at each moment, invest correctly, and identify moments that will be turning points in survival, growth and stability.
In your opinion, what is the most iconic product in the furniture catalogue?
For me, there are different iconic products, but the Nuta stool stands out because it synthesizes the values of Mobles114. It manages to be in a space without overshadowing other elements and it is discreet, but undoubtedly defines the space where it is used and gives it character. Its lightness does not detract from its firmness when you sit on it. In addition, it never fails to bring a smile to my face when I see it anywhere.
