Why taking a seat by yourself?
Since I moved to Portugal, I began noticing single chairs scattered around. Some were separated from restaurant tables and left aside; some were abandoned by fishermen, parking staff, construction builders, or beach visitors. While some chairs were plausibly separated from their companions, many were found in puzzling places, like in the middle of the street or under a tree in a forest void of civilization. At some point, I became so obsessed with this phenomenon that it seemed like chairs also became obsessed with me. No matter where I’d go or turn, there around the corner would be another lone chair waiting for me.
Amidst it all, I wondered whether I could identify a pattern in their stories. As I started noticing this occurrence in Portugal, I believed that lonely chairs are connected to the country’s culture for some time. My interpretation was that as Portuguese people are so socially vibrant as a nation, they need a single chair now and then to allow themselves to rest from socializing and just sit with their thoughts.
Considering my observations started at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have also tied my concept to the context of the first lockdown, where, void of parties, cinemas, and gatherings, people needed to learn how to be on their own. It was then that I encountered this quote from Andrey Tarkovsky, one of my favorite film directors:
“Every person needs to learn from childhood how to spend time with oneself. That doesn’t mean he should be lonely, but that he shouldn’t grow bored with himself because people who grow bored in their own company seem to me in danger, from a self-esteem point of view.”
Metaphorically speaking, we are all somewhat afraid of sitting on a lonely chair, and it’s perhaps ironic then how the global pandemic forced many of us to do just that. Ultimately, we all need to sit still with ourselves from time to time and confront the most lovable person within — yourself. So please, take a seat.