The Anamorphic Bench | Atelier YokYok

The Anamorphic Bench plays with perspective and the human body. It brings original, playful and pedagogical urban furniture to public space. Its complex geometry is the stretch of a simple chair.  When viewed from the right perspective, the initially dislocated bench reveals the initial form, and a chair shows up. The geometry changes and flattens, the legs hide themselves behind each other, and the magic operates. Individuals sitting at different levels on the bench appear at varying sizes. The bench stages those who use it. The phenomenon is more obvious in photography or by simply closing one eye.

YokYok created this piece for the city of Malicorne-sur-Sarthe in France, a small city globally recognized for its 'Faïenceries d’Art' (decorative glazed earthenware). The seats are made of 'Malicorne concrete,' composed of low-carbon concrete (without clinker), natural pigments, pieces of broken “faiences” from Malicorne-sur-Sarthe (35kg of broken plates, defects in cooking, scraps...), and sand and water from the area.

All the woodworking and concrete pouring took place in Malicorne-sur-Sarthe at the city workshops in September 2023. Thanks to the city and the inhabitants of Malicorne for their welcome, goodwill, and curiosity.