Platonic. Outside of philosophy lectures (and possible inside for all I know) one of the most heartbreaking words in the English language, no matter which end of it you’re on. It’s pretty fitting that Christian Wassmann‘s 5 Platonic Objects have plenty in common, hang around together with a sense of belonging, but will probably end up with other objects that the rest of the group consider wholly unsuitable.

Anthropomorphic daftness aside, the Swiss-born artist is dealing here in the five platonic solids – for the more romantic, less geometrically clued-up readers they are: tetrahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, icosahedron, and dodecahedron – and how they can inhabit a single liveable space, with form driving function, rather than the other way around. R 20th Century on Franklin Street in New York City is hosting this potentially awkward but ultimately cohesive display until 20th April. Extra credit if you know the number of sides each polyhedron has without Googling.

“Hexahedron” is made of latex foam and Kvadrat fabric and can be turned inside out in order to become each of its forms/functions; as a cube it serves as a stool or small table, and in its expanded state it becomes a lounge chair. Edition of 9. Designed by Christian Wassmann, 2012. Available in two sizes: 24″ L x 24″ W x 24″ H and 21″ L x 21″ W x 21″ H
Photo by Sherry Griffin. Courtesy of R 20th Century

“Octahedron” dining table made with a solid walnut elliptical slice as the top and a bent steel rod frame. While the metal base represents an infinite form, the piece of wood presents just the opposite; revealing a map of history and finite time through its lines of tension and the annual rings. Edition of 9 tables. Designed by Christian Wassmann, 2011. 70.5″ L x 35″ W x 28″ H 
Photo by Sherry Griffin. Courtesy of R 20th Century

“Dodecahedron” chandelier and optical instrument. By looking through the pentagram-shaped lenses everything behind it appears upside-down. Each of the twelve lenses is a poured lake of acrylic resin inside a sphere. Edition of 9. Designed by Christian Wassmann, 2011. Available in 14″ D and 18″ D 
Photo by Sherry Griffin. Courtesy of R 20th Century

“Icosahedron” vessel in clay with a rubber plug. The “Icosahedron” can be used on any of its twenty sides as a vase or an urn. Designed by Christian Wassmann, 2013. 12″ D or 14″ D 
Photo by Sherry Griffin. Courtesy of R 20th Century

“Hexahedron” is made of latex foam and Kvadrat fabric and can be turned inside out in order to become each of its forms/functions; as a cube it serves as a stool or small table, and in its expanded state it becomes a lounge chair. Edition of 9. Designed by Christian Wassmann, 2012. Available in two sizes: 24″ L x 24″ W x 24″ H and 21″ L x 21″ W x 21″ H
Photo by Sherry Griffin. Courtesy of R 20th Century