Used chairs are taken from the trash and are being transformed into public property by spraying the words “public chair” on them.
That way they get a new and recycled function. The citizens of the cities are being animated to reconquer the streets and sidewalks.
“public chairs” are offering a spot of calmness as well as a spot of communication. They belong to every one, are public property. Thus the chairs can be reorganised, grouped or taken to other locations if necessary – an attribute that is often missed at, for example, fixed park benches.
It is the basic concept to spray the chairs right at the habitat and put them back from the sidewalk to the walls. That way the chairs will be recycled and again take part in urban life.
In addition several chairs were placed at Columbus Cirlce and Union Square in New York City during the opening day of the icff (international contemporary furniture fair, New York City).

More than 250 chairs have been sprayed during the project
Spring 2005, New York City.

„public chair” is a project by Matthias Ries, 2005