{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O129250"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O129250/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PH9469/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PH9469/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2025PH9469","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AX7634","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O129250","accessionNumber":"W.24 to F-1983","objectType":"Armchair","titles":[{"title":"Media Chair","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"The Swedish designer Jan Dranger conceived this chair in the early 1980s when he observed that new types of furniture were needed to accommodate the proliferation of different forms of media and communication. \"To develop designs and systems that combine solutions of rational simplicity with greater variety and human touch - that's the challenge of our time\" he said. Dranger designed the Media Chair as a flexible and adaptable hub for different activities, such as listening to music, reading, watching television, or conversing.  Thus, the chair is fitted with a reading light, a bag for papers or remote controls, and a foldaway writing table complete with drink stand. It even came with a detachable ashtray (not visible), an indicator of the changed norms of behaviour since this chair was new. Had he designed the chair a decade or so later, no doubt Dranger would also have incorporated a computer keyboard and wiring for internet access. This was a prescient design that responded to lifestyle changes in a fast moving world.","physicalDescription":"This version is the Media Pro with optional spotlight and bag. The right hand arm rest is removable to reveal a folding surface with circular cut out for a glass or cup. On this arm also is an ash tray (removable) in the form of two vertical tubes with a rubber ball on a chain to stop the fumes escaping. On caster wheels.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Dranger, Jan","id":"A21070"},"association":{"text":"designer","id":"x36960"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Joint","id":"A21071"},"association":{"text":"manufacturer","id":"x33306"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"steel","id":"AAT133751"},{"text":"plastic","id":"AAT14570"},{"text":"cotton (textile)","id":"AAT14067"}],"techniques":[{"text":"upholstery","id":"x37978"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Tubular steel, metal and plastic fittings, cotton upholstery","categories":[{"text":"Furniture","id":"THES48948"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2025PH9469","2006AX7634"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342267"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"006","id":"THES302957"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"006","id":"THES302957"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342267"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342267"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342267"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES342267"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Armchair","id":""}],[{"text":"Ashtray","id":""}],[{"text":"Armrest cover","id":""}],[{"text":"Armrest cover","id":""}],[{"text":"Armchair cushion","id":""}],[{"text":"Lamp","id":""}],[{"text":"Armchair pocket","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Sweden","id":"x29198"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1982","earliest":"1982-01-01","latest":"1982-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Jan Dranger","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"930","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"minimum","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"880","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"minimum","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"810","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"minimum","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Taken from register","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Note in register - \"There are only four people in the design studio, a converted barn just outside Stockholm. Dranger did the first sketch on a paper napkin in a restaurant. One of the girls then made a paper model, then all four sat down and made a full size model - no drawings were done until this was finished. The problem of joints and hinges was last to be solved.\"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Media chair, designed by Jan Dranger, Sweden, 1982","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"<u>Domus</u>, December 1982, No.634, p.57"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"103-6\r\n\r\n'MEDIA' CHAIR\r\nDesigned by Jan Dranger (Swedish)\r\nManufactured by Joint, Milan, Italy\r\nTubular steel, metal and plastic fittings, cotton upholstery\r\n1982\r\n\r\nThis chair was marketed as a versatile seat. Adaptable for listening to music, watching video or reading. It came equipped with a reading light, fold-out writing surface, bag and ashtray. \r\n\r\nGiven by Jan Dranger\r\nW.24-1983","date":{"text":"2006","earliest":"2006-01-01","latest":"2006-12-31"}}],"partNumbers":["W.24-1983","W.24A-1983","W.24B-1983","W.24C-1983","W.24D-1983","W.24E-1983","W.24F-1983"],"accessionNumberNum":"24","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":1983,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Armchair pocket","Armchair cushion","Armrest cover [1]","Armrest cover [2]","Lamp","Ashtray","Armchair"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-01-09","recordCreationDate":"2006-11-16","availableToBook":true}}