COMS 3331 Group 14 Artifacts: Monday December 5, 2011

Another type of artifact that is placed in the environment around us is chairs. We go to places every day, we go to class, we go to the doctor, we go to the gym, and we go to restaurants’ to eat. All of these places have one thing in common and we use them no matter where we go, they all have chairs. Companies, places and people use different types of chairs for different purposes and things. Big soft comfortable chairs that you may find in your living room or in a home theater are designed and placed there by the owner for the specific reason of making you feel welcome and designed for you to stay in them for long periods of time.

When you go to the Doctors office and sign in and turn around you see artifacts placed in the environment that are not made for you to be in for long periods of time. They are used to seat as many as possible and worry more about the function as the comfort. These artifacts are used as a means to keep you from standing but not to let you feel comfortable or welcome. Some have designs on them or are made of bright colors as to make them look less institutional.

Places that have many, many people passing through and in a somewhat quick manner often take function and ease over soft and welcoming. They are usually made out of a material that is easy to clean and/or spray down during slow periods or after hours.

People use chairs to express themselves and project an image that they want you to see. People that want you to see fun and easy going may have bright colors and soft fun chairs. While as people that want to project seriousness or a sense of business may use oversized large chairs that are dark in color and are more firm. They say to whoever sees them that this a place for business and that is all, there is no place in them for fun or to have a good time.

Even the backs of the chairs that we see tell a story of power or dominance. The President of the United States uses a chair in the Cabinet Room that has a back that is a few inches taller than the rest of the chairs in the room. This is used to display power, authority and position of stature. The President is the highest ranking member in the room and therefore his chair back is placed higher than that of his cabinet members, which is a fact that not many people know.

Chairs are used at almost every place that we go, each place we go has a different need and reason for the artifacts that they place there. The next time you are out and about take a look at the kinds and types of chairs that you see. The next time you are in class or at the movies look and see if you find anything interesting. The same goes for Doctors’ offices and airports. There are all types of chairs in the world each one with its own special meaning or use take the time to stop by and have a visit with people and ask them why they picked one type or kind of chair over another and what they want the chairs to mean to people and themselves.