Couches in gallery

[Michelle]

Our museum recently placed couches in the galleries. They are the sort of couch that belongs in a living room - light gray, very plush, made of synthetic fiber, with a deeply curved back. They sit in the center of the gallery and are quite large for the size of the space, and in the viewing plane with the artwork. So, when you walk into the gallery the first thing you encounter are not gallery walls filled with artwork but the back of a couch. Apart from being obtrusive, they detract from the clean aesthetic and high standards that go into the presentation of artwork (i.e. lighting, paint colors, signage, placement of artwork, etc). The couches also undermine the artwork that is hanging to the left, back, or right of the couch (which the sitter cannot see). We had low, wooden benches in the center of the gallery for visitors to sit on but those now function as 'coffee' tables (or foot-rests!) in front of the couches. It might be too late for myself and the exhibition designer (who were never consulted) to get them removed, but I would like to hear your thoughts, from an exhibition design perspective, on appropriate styles and designs for chairs/benches that are for visitor use in galleries?

[Rusty]

I have never been a big fan of couches in a gallery. I do like the idea of having a place to sit for people who get tired or want to, as many students do, sketch something in the galleries. I have always liked the Design Within Reach catalog for furniture and fixtures. The Butterfly stool and the Prince Aha stools are both really nice and surprisingly comfortable. They do lack the back support of a couch, but they don't provide a home for germs, a massive viewing impediment, or an invitation for loitering overly long in a space, either.

[LadyBenson]

Our museum has some ultra modern benches, but nothing with a back on them. The designs are simple so they do not take away from the art work. I agree that living room furniture, while more comfortable, is probably not the best choice for a gallery.

[Museumgirl]

I don't work in an art museum, but I have visited many in my travels, and I have to say that I have never seen regular couches in a gallery. I agree that they may be more comfortable, but is the gallery supposed to be a place to take a nap or is it to be a place to view the artwork and reflect on it? I don't think that most people who visit museums spend a lot of time sitting. I know I only do it when I've been on my feet for a couple of hours. I have seen regular couches in reading room settings, but that seems to make sense since the object in these areas is for people to spend a longer amount of time getting comfortable while they look through whatever books are available. Good luck!!!

[melody]

If I were, as a gallery visitor, to walk into a room and see a couch I might find in a living room my first thought would be that that was a piece of art as it would seem so out of place! I'd prefer padded benches with a low profile to allow people to face any angle while not blocking the art. Also, with benches with backs, its awkward to get around them to sit down when you're on the opposite side creating unnecessary movement. Whatever the shape I'd want a slick material, to be able to keep it as hygienic as possible.