Massimiliano Malagò’s Pax New Yorkea transforms a throne-like acrylic chair into a deeply personal essay. Built with a wooden base and gold-washed laser-etched acrylic panels, the seat is completely covered in markings—text, symbols, and illustrations—that examine life in New York through the lenses of work, relationships, and leisure. Each panel frames one of these pillars, while a fourth removable piece allows the sitter to be fully enclosed, symbolizing closure. Rather than offering easy answers, the chair presents a saturated “sea of information” that speaks to the digital age’s sensory overload.

The piece aims to reflect both critique and satire, capturing New York as a paradox of power, freedom, exhaustion, and resilience. Malagò, who was born in Italy and raised in London, began the project after returning to New York following visa complications. Tarot symbols, NYC emblems, and sharp commentary add layers of meaning, inviting users to both contemplate and inhabit the emotional terrain of city life.

Image Credit: Helene Helleu