Zenso Fully Upholstered Seat and Wooden Back

With ZENSO, the designer duo at Formstelle have developed a family of chairs of sculptural character. The expressive wooden frame incorporates two floating circles, the seat and back of the chair.

Actually, the family of chairs should have been called Ensõ. The round circles follow the motif of the Ensõ, a symbol in Japanese calligraphy: Although the Ensõ is actually a symbol

and not a letter, it is one of the most common drawingin Japanese calligraphy. It symbolises enlightenment and elegance, the universe and the void, but also symbolises Japanese aesthetics in itself. As an “expression of the moment”.

In Zen Buddhist philosophy, painting the Ensõ represents the moment in which the consciousness is free, and body and soul are unfettered in their creative process. Usually, the ink is applied to either silk paper or rice paper in a single stroke. There is no possibility for modification: The Ensõ shows the state of mind at the moment of ist creation. Many Zen Buddhists believe that the artist’s character is fully reflected in how he draws the Ensõ. Accordingly, only a person who is mentally and spiritually complete is able to draw a true Ensõ. Some artists practise drawing the Ensõ every day as a spiritual exercise. From this inspiration the ZENSO family of chairs consisting of chairs, bar stools and loungers has emerged. The frame is made of solid wood, the seat and back shell consist of moulded wood and can be upholstered. The seat upholstery is always fully upholstered, the back shell

with an attached cushion. ZENSO LOUNGE always has an upholstered seat and back.