When I’m tired from walking or moving around and I see a bench, I’ll most likely sit on it, of course. The purpose of sitting on that free seat is to rest for a bit before moving on to wherever I need to go. But if that bench suddenly starts moving, I might think there’s an earthquake, I’m experiencing dizziness from vertigo, or perhaps there’s a hidden prank camera recording my reaction. I may also not stay still there but it would be an interesting experience.
If you happen to be in Logroño, Spain, around this time and you encounter a moving bench, it’s none of the above. This is actually part of the Concéntrico exhibition, and what you’re sitting on is the Dancing Bench designed by Soft Baroque. This piece is part of their “dancing furniture” series, which aims to show how ordinary objects can become extraordinary through sensory experiences and experimental mechanics.
Designer: Soft Baroque (photos by Josema Cutillas)
At first glance, it looks just like an ordinary bench with a slightly curved design. But once you sit on it, you’ll realize it’s meant to be something different, as you find yourself moving along with it—or rather, it’s moving along with you. The bench is composed of a series of interconnected seats, crafted from robust yet elegant materials that reflect Soft Baroque’s penchant for blending the digital and the physical. The bench’s form is deceptively simple, echoing the clean lines of classic park seating, but with a twist: the seats are mounted on a subtle, undulating mechanism.
What sets the Dancing Bench apart is its kinetic capability. Each seat is connected to a system of hidden levers and pivots beneath the surface. When one person sits or shifts their weight, the entire bench gently rocks or “dances” in response. The movement is smooth and carefully calibrated, creating a sense of communal play—when one person moves, everyone on the bench feels it, fostering a shared experience.
This mechanism is not just for show; it’s a thoughtful commentary on public space and social interaction. The bench encourages users to be aware of others, to anticipate and respond to their movements, turning the simple act of sitting into a collaborative performance. This piece is an invitation to engage, connect, and experience public space in a new way. At Concéntrico, it stands out as both a functional object and a whimsical sculpture, delighting visitors and passersby with its gentle, communal choreography.
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