Inspired by the indented coastline of her native Karelia, Liisi Beckmann created an innovative frameless lounge chair with an iconic, wave-like seat and backrest. The 870 Karelia was one of the first chairs to pioneer the use of polyurethane foam for the entire chair, eschewing the use of more traditional materials like wood and steel. The rippling surface is a visual feast, drawing the gaze and cradling the body with a totally unique tactile sensation that befits the chair’s striking appearance.
The Karelia chair is a maximalist classic, an icon of the Sixties and Seventies, symbolising the audacious dynamism that defined the era. Unfettered by convention, the chair defies expectations, making it a transformative and sensational addition to any living space.
Liisi Beckmann was a Finnish artist and designer, active in Italy. Born December 7, 1924 in Karelia and studied art in Helsinki. She moved to Italy in the late 50s and worked in Rinascente's Development Studio in Milan.
The most famous collaboration with design companies is certainly the one with Zanotta by designing Karelia in 1966, inspired by her homeland and, reproduced since 2007.
