For the third time international design and art galleries are presenting much sought-after design classics and exclusive products as part of the Design Miami exhibition at the Art Basil fair in Switzerland. This year, they’re focusing on limited editions of contemporary works. It’s all in the attempt to further the notion of design as fine art. It receives a lot of attention in the specialized press. I think Brad Pitt recently bought some of these pieces and, of course, the press made a big deal out of that. At any rate, there are now few designers who don’t offer their works for sale in art galleries or auction house. Which brings me to today’s chair.

Archiduchaise is a creation by the Belgian aluminium specialist Xavier Lust, who has already created a stir with his ingenious designs for MDF Italia. “Elegant as a baroque crinoline,” says Lust. “The lower structure of this cantilever chair stretches well beyond the seat, which gives this sculpture its figure-like appearance.”

I’m not sure how I feel about design as art. I absolutely agree that some designs belong in a design museum. And a chair can certainly lend itself to being an object d’art if it’s placed and lit properly. I just hope the whole movement doesn’t get carried away into total pretention. I hate a poser. I don’t want to hear an interior designer try to talk a client into buying some ego-laced sofa because “it’s high art.” A sofa will always still be a sofa - no matter how groovy it may be.