Matteo Guarnaccia (IT)
Seat-ing Exercises
July 6th – July 12th 2025

Matteo Guarnaccia Italy
Matteo Guarnaccia is a Sicilian freelance art director and designer, based in Europe (CET time zone). He works in between different design fields while trying to escape labelling. After studying design in Barcelona, he built experience in Los Angeles and Madrid. In 2018 he initiated Cross Cultural Chair, an ongoing research on design with an anthropological approach. He is also one of the co-founders of the Institute for Postnatural Studies, analysing the relationship between nature and culture.
www.matteoguarnaccia.com
The Workshop
Sitting is a universal act, yet its cultural, material, and functional expressions vary widely. From simple stools to elaborate thrones, or from stationary seats to the nomadic character of saddles, the design and use of seating reflect traditions and social structures. This workshop invites participants to explore the meaning of "sitting" through a hands-on, experimental approach, incorporating found materials, repurposed objects, and other elements.
Throughout the workshop, we will gather organic and inorganic materials left behind by nature, previous workshops, and other activities, in order to transform them into practical objects. A saddle can become a chair and, of course, a fallen branch may likewise dictate the form of a stool. It's just a matter of how different materials interact being combined into a functional object! Participants will engage in improvisation and explore material properties as well as intuitive construction techniques to design and create as many seating forms as possible.
Alexander von Vegesack’s renowned collection of furniture and saddles and his extensive archive and library on the subject will serve as additional, very special sources of inspiration. Offering historical and contemporary references, these resources encourage a critical reflection on seating design from multiple perspectives. Whether creating entirely new pieces or reinterpreting iconic designs, the final outcomes surely go well beyond the physical seats, leading to a deeper understanding of how material, context, and culture influence the way we sit.
Housing
Accommodation & food are included
We can accommodate for special catering
All participants sleep in dormitories
To book a private room or bring additional guests, get in touch: workshops@boisbuchet.org
Education
Our staff are available to help you conceptualize & produce your designs
Tools & materials are provided by Boisbuchet
All workshops are taught in English
The number of participants is limited to 22
Activities
Weekly campfire, exhibition & guided tour of the Domaine
Conferences from designers throughout the week
The famous Wednesday Porky’s party