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07 THE MONOBLOC CHAIR: More Than Just Plastic JOZZO 15 11 PAIN OR PLEASURE? Are women redefying the oppressed connotations surrounding corsets? ‘THE ARCHIVE’: Tadhg and his new album! WELCOME 17 DJ CHY Welcome to the debut issue of our zine, a platform made for young creatives and to showcase the talent within the academy. Within these pages, you’ll find articles on culture and fashion, alongside interviews with our amazing musicians we have here at The Global Academy. 02
CHAIR: More Than Just Plastic How can melted plastic morphed into a seated structure be such a significant fragment to cultures and domestics. The Monobloc chair, A chair that is so disregarded but how can it be such an important symbol in daily life? Back in 1946, Canadian D.C. Simpson made the very first Monobloc chair, however with the current lack of resources and the moulding process being unsuitable for that level of cheap mass production the idea was a bit too new for the time, and it didn’t catch on right away. However, the 60’s were when designers warmed up to the concept of modelling chairs in a plastic block. This period saw the birth of plastic chairs such as Helmut Bätzner’s Bofinger Chair and Joe Colombo’s Universal Chair. The most significant chair forerunning the Monobloc was Verner Panton's iconic one-piece Cantilever Chair, which despite its higher price shared the same stackable features. This design popularised the one-use material objects and propelled the potential for a mass-market plastic chair. vitra 03
Chair in 1983 which became a global fixture. This sky-rocketed the social significance of the chair as its place was cemented in fragments of cultures around the world. Although the chair has a strong connection to many communities, childhoods and lives its environmental impact is heavily discussed. Many Monoblocs end up in landfills, where they stay for centuries due to plastic's slow degradation, with a low percentage recycled, the rest continues to contribute to plastic pollution. Martí Guixé, a Spanish designer known for his playful approach to everyday objects, significantly dealt with the cultural importance of the Monobloc through his "Statement Chairs" series. His work, including pieces like "Stop Discrimination of Cheap Furniture" and "Respect Cheap Furniture," confronts the world's dismissive attitude towards such mass-produced items, by highlighting its affordability, practicality and value in various communities. 04
is still developing, due to the help of Bad Bunny's cover for his new album "nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana". It displays two of the famous white Monobloc against two trees in a green garden, which could symbolise his nostalgia within the Latin community. The power of two empty chairs that have such cultural prominence makes it an album to spark discussion and reminiscent. badbunnypr 05
a faint idea in 1946 to a global staple is a highlight to the success of functional and affordable design. Within its accessibility and adaptability, it plays a vital role across diverse cultures enduring symbol in a shared human experience. 06
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