Chavire Bench is a minimal bench created by France-based designer Ferréol Babin for Friedman Benda as part of the Fragments exhibition. The showcase marks a significant milestone in Babin’s career, offering the public an in-depth look at a comprehensive selection of his work. Through this exhibition, Babin conveys his dedication to craft as both a method of creation and a medium for narrative expression. The foundation of Fragments stems from Babin’s participation in an artist residency with IN Residence in Turin, Italy. Immersing himself in the city’s architectural heritage and its pivotal contributions to Italian design, Babin has reinterpreted historical techniques and motifs with his own distinct perspective. One such example is the Vestige shelving unit and bench, crafted in dark oak. Drawing inspiration from Medieval wooden scaffolding, these pieces evoke archaeological artifacts reimagined for a contemporary audience.

Another centerpiece is the Monolithe sideboard, a bold work that appears shaped as much by natural forces like wind or fire as by human intervention. Babin intentionally leaves traces of ambiguity in his creations, inviting viewers to uncover their own interpretations of the objects’ origins and meanings. Babin’s expertise in woodworking—honed through studies in France and Japan—underpins his practice. His work demonstrates a deep respect for traditional materials, tools, and techniques. For Babin, the physical process of making is both an act of creation and a reflection of his personal language. “Everything I create is a fragment of myself, an extension of my compulsion to make,” he explains. The pieces in Fragments represent Babin’s most ambitious efforts to date, notable for their narrative depth, scale, and complexity.