Two cubical armchairs turned towards each other

Two rusted steel cubes stand a few meters apart along the banks of the Umeälven river in Öbackaparken in central Umeå. At first glance, they resemble a pair of cubical armchairs. They command your attention by presenting a form you recognize yet find impossible to inhabit.

Installed in 1998 by artist Cristos Gianakos, the work utilizes cortén steel to achieve a weathered, earthy texture. Although they mimic the form of seating, the heavy material ensures they remain impractical for actual rest.

Each cube features a smaller cube carved out of its side. These hollows can form ends for an imagined, floating shape that connects the two cubes. Visitors to Öbackaparken in central Umeå can view these pieces at any time.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons