1984 Summer Olympics Hockey Stick and Puck Chaise Lounge & Table
During the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the Whiteley Gallery presented the “Unofficial Olympic Sports Furniture Show,” an exhibition of functional furniture created from real sporting equipment. Conceived as a humorous reflection on the Games, the exhibition challenged artists and designers to transform sports equipment into imaginative, functional pieces.
David Hertz created a chaise lounge and a table from hockey equipment for the exhibition. His Hockey Stick and Puck Chaise Lounge was constructed from 32 goalie sticks and 118 hockey pucks, with a pair of padded hockey gloves forming the headrest. Both pieces were purchased by a Stanley Cup–winning professional hockey player.
The exhibition grew out of the La Brea art galleries’ desire to participate in the cultural programming surrounding the Olympics, along with gallery owner Larry Whiteley’s inspiration from an anonymous folk-art baseball table in his personal collection.
In addition to David Hertz, participating artists and designers included Hudson Marquis, Heidi Wianecki, Skip Engblom, Candice Gawne, Nelsen Valentine, Darrell Strub, Steve Galerkin, and Lou Mannick.
Press:
Fine Woodworking Magazine Nov/Dec 1984
The New York Times Archive: Whimsical and Idiosyncratic Furniture in Los Angeles
