memphis a design movement. memphis a landmark in design history heralded as the new international...
TRANSCRIPT
Memphis
A Design Movement
Memphis• A landmark in design history• Heralded as the new ‘International style’• Aimed to:
– Eliminate “peaceful conformity”i.e. not to do something “because that’s the way it’s always been done”.
– Present alternatives to late 1970’s formal design culture
– Revive radical design– Break down social class barriers (make
design accessible to everyone)– Inject flair with colour and materials
Ginza Robot Cabinet 1982
Dubline Sofa 1981
Memphis – the history
• Led by Ettore Sottsass• Formed in 1981• Sottsass was described
as “a forward-looking designer who was also mischievous”
• Disbanded in 1988
Sottsass Products
• Inspiration from popular culture, travel.
• Colourful• Humorous!• New materials:
Formica, Laminates• Experimented with
ceramics and fibreglass
Ceramic Teapot Basilico 1969
Fibreglass furniture 1970
Sottsass Products• Products were typically ‘home’ artefacts which
followed the doctrine of design for all and created bright, interesting , functional products and allowed all social classes access to these products.
• Sottsass and later the Memphis group, adopted a ‘revival of radical design’ and wanted to move away from dark, often black products which were ‘boring and mundain’.
• Plastic laminate surfaces, ceramics and fibreglass allowed expression, creativity and an injection of colour and excitement.
Altair Vase Deneb Glass 1982
Sottsass Style
All products continued in the theme and had the Sottsass characteristics:
bold, bright, vibrant colours, exotic laminates and veneers with wild patterns, geometric shapes and most of all; a sense of fun!
Valentine Typewriter
for Ollivetti in 1969
Memphis Products• Carlton Cabinet 1981
Typical Memphis style with all themes:
(colour, shape, materials).
• Casablanca Sideboard 1982
Influence from travel –
Can you guess where?
Beverly Sideboard 1981
Memphis Barstool
Carlton Cabinet 1981
Casablanca Sideboard 1982
Memphis Products
Ashoka Lamp
Belvedere Table D’Antibes Cabinet SuperlampLapislazzuli Teapot
Piccadilly Table Lamp
Mirror Lamp
Sottsass and MemphisThe Influences on other Products
•Responsible for transforming colours used
•Introduced new materials and combinations of materials.
•Broke down class barriers – design for everyone!
•Transformed Interior products – glassware, ceramics, lighting, cabinets etc.
•Questioned tradition and accepted designs.
•Injected ‘humour’ into products
Question - Where would you have to go to buy modern Memphis inspired products nowadays?