Life is at times paradoxical and strangely things within life are inextricably linked because of our connection to them. We are the link. The tie between two completely disparate entities. We are the missing puzzle piece that is needed to form the grand design.

The Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe was referred to as "the Platonic ideal of chair" by author Tom Wolfe. Wolfe is referring to Plato’s Forms in ancient Greek philosophy. According to Plato, the 'forms' are the perfect non-physical essences of all things, of which objects and matter in the physical world are merely imitations. High praise from Wolfe about the chair in other words. 

It is ironic for me that he would tie the chair to Plato. The Barcelona Chair has made by Knoll in East Greenville since the 1950’s. It is part of the German Bauhaus tradition known for its approach to design. Bauhaus actually utilized a modernist philosophical approach which said that there should be no distinction between form and function. Here again we allusion to ‘forms’.

Also ironic is the fact that Knoll was my first full-time employer who hired me as an entry level draftsman in 1987 at 18 years old. Ron Snyder was the man that hired me (not sure why, I was a moron at 18). Guess he saw something unrefined and unformed in me (thanks Ron). I gained a comprehensive foundation for my entire career in my short 5 years at Knoll. It began my formation that would lead me to where I am today. As a Quality Engineer, Theologian, Writer and hack philosopher. 

In my tenure at Knoll I was fortunate enough to have been in the manufacturing department between 1990-1991 where the original blueprints for this chair resided. The prints were done on drafting linen/clothe in 1929. I was fortunate enough to do changes to the original linen. If I’m not mistaken I changed a weld on cross-over of the legs. The welds were failing so they were made slightly thicker. Changes to such an iconic design were never taken lightly. The weld designs were reformed to become stronger and more resilient. Just as life would do to me.

Later in life I would return to school to complete degrees. The primarily degree in theology and secondarily in philosophy. Philosophy in which Plato’s forms reside. The ‘Forms’ which are a direct reference made by Tom Wolfe about the chair that I changed prints for 30 years ago. Changes to a chair that in its production lifetime had reached maturity. Just as I have now. 

Thereby, I essentially changed the form of the chair that was itself referenced as Plato’s ‘Form’ for 'chair' or 'chair-ness'. In the employment that allowed a chance to change a weld on that chair (pretty sure it was the Barcelona Chair anyway). That employment would also allow me a chance to change and reform. A change to a form 30 years ago in a job that would form the foundation for the rest of my adult life.

Paradox and interconnectivity. As if it was designed that way…or for you of theological mind and prefer...

Sovereignty and providence.