The history of design (the one less known)
March 12, 2020Altek Italia Design and Protocol are Mixology North 2018 finalists
March 15, 2020Clint Eastwood and the “Empty Chair” (or rather the Baba© Barstool)
The birth of the myth
The Baba chair, covered by Copyright since 1992, was designed in October 1991 by architect Sergio Mian. Since February 1992, Altek has been producing this extraordinary piece of furniture. The Baba chair made its official debut at the Milan Furniture Fair in 1993, immediately capturing attention for its innovative and distinctive design. The following year, in 1994, the Baba collection was expanded with the introduction of two new models: the stool and the armchair, both of which were presented at that year’s Salone del Mobile.
The Baba stool became an icon in the United States thanks to actor and director Clint Eastwood. On September 3, 2012, during the Republican convention in Tampa, Eastwood used the Baba stool as the star of his speech, pretending that President Obama was sitting on the stool. This gesture led to the birth of the myth of the famous “Empty Chair,” turning the Baba stool into an internationally known symbol.
A global success for the empty stool
After this episode, the Baba stool and Baba chair began to enjoy enormous success around the world, becoming highly sought-after pieces of furniture. Today, the Baba collection can be found in multinational corporate headquarters, cafes, bars, restaurants, numerous trendy establishments, and stylishly furnished homes. This enduring success has established the Baba collection as a true icon of contemporary design.
The versatility of the Baba collection, which includes chairs, stools and armchairs, makes it the best piece of furniture for a wide range of environments. Each piece in the collection is designed to offer comfort and style, fitting perfectly in both public and private spaces. The Baba collection continues to be a benchmark in the design industry, prized for its ability to combine aesthetics and functionality.