The Acapulco chair has become a symbol of Mexican culture, embodying a fusion of artisanal techniques, the democratizing values of workshops, and a topical interpretation of what modernity means in the country. With its anonymous design and collective ownership, the chair has become a fluid cultural symbol over the years.
In Jose Dávila's work, the Acapulco chair frames are stacked one on top of the other, creating a vertical composition of intertwined metal that holds stones in place. The weight of these stones acts as a counterweight to the more delicate frame, providing stability and durability. By blending commercial-designed objects with unaltered natural materials, the artist highlights the humanistic concerns of incorporating natural elements into the realm of functionality and utility.
This piece showcases Dávila's unique approach to art and culture, as he sees them as resources to be edited, rearranged, and re-purposed. By using the frame of the Acapulco chair as a module, he creates a new structural relationship between balance and stability. The chair stack represents one way in which constructive attitudes can be integrated into the world beyond the studio. This work highlights Dávila's talent for taking familiar objects and transforming them into something new and innovative, offering a fresh perspective on art and culture.