Memphis

This presentation was produced byMr Steve Smith

Bettws High School Newport

As part of a GTCW network project

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MemphisSchool Improvement Service

A GTCW project

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Memphis

In 1980 the Memphis group led by Ettore Sottsass rejected the

principle of functional design and the rules of `good taste` which

was the cornerstone of the Modernism. They regarded design as being fashion, with outrageous styles appearing for a season then

disappearing just as quickly.

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Carlton 1981 – Ettore Sottsass

Carlton Sideboard.

Material: Covered in Plastic Laminate.

The Carlton Sideboard presents itself loudly as a symbolic monument to all things Memphis.

Part cartoon figure, part totem pole and part bookcase, the Carlton embodies Ettore Sottsass’ commitment to the joint stimuli of contemporary pop culture and ancient cultures.

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Tahiti 1981 – Ettore Sottsass

Lamp

The `Bacterio` laminate pattern used on the base was first developed by Ettore Sottsass in the late 1970’s and was used in experimental furniture developed by Studio Alchymia.

Material: Plastic Laminate & Metal

`Tahti` typifies the Disney-like naivety and impudence associated with so many Memphis products.

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Ettore Sottsass

Ettore Sottsass was born in Austria in 1917. In 1935 he went to Turin to study architecture and later became a freelance architect and designer, and has since worked for companies such as Olivetti and more recently Alessi.

In 1981 Sottsass and a group of like minded designers and architects formed the Memphis group which experimented with design and reacted against the modernist principle that `form should follow function`. The group explored new ways of using materials and combining different historical, cultural and artistic influences in their work.

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Super 1981 – Martine Bedin

Fibreglass Lamp

The Glossy Art Deco look of the base is offset by the lamps push along playfulness and bare-bulbed simplicity.

Martine Bedin also worked with the avante-garde design group Superstudio in Florence before joining Studio Alchymia.

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MemphisLamp

In contrast to the idea that `Good Design` should be seamless and homogeneous each geometric shape used in the design of the lamp is given a colour of its own.

Treetops 1981 – Ettore Sottsass

Material: Metal

This use of colour accentuates the fact it is made up from an assortment of component parts.

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Lido 1982 – Michelle De Lucchi

Material: Wood, Plastic Laminate, Metal & Fabric

Sofa

This squat Lido sofa mixes different historical styles.

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D’Antibes 1981 – George Sowden

Cabinet

Despite its classical lines, the D’Antibes cabinet appears playful and fragile rather than functional, thanks to the exaggerated elongation of its spindly legs.

Material: Lacqured and Silkscreen Wood.

The cabinet is painted in bright nursery colours.

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Sinerpica 1979 – Michele De Lucchi

Lamp Material: Enamelled Metal.

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First 1993 – Michele De Lucchi

Chair

A simple stool with one steel tube added as a backrest, the design of the `first` chair is ideally suited to mass production. Lightweight but stable.

Material: Metal & Lacquered Wood.

The `First` has proved to be one of Memphis’ best selling furniture pieces.

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Riviera 1981 – Michelle De Lucchi

Chair

The Riviera chair is a deliberate statement of `bad taste`.

Material: Metal, Plastic Laminate and Pink Chintz.

Michelle De Lucchi worked with Studio Alchymia and Sottsass Associati in Milan before becoming one of the most active and versatile members of Memphis.21

Memphis

Kyoto 1983 – Shiro Kuramata

Table

The Kyoto’ elegant simplicity is offset by the use of brightly coloured Terrazzo. This material is not usually associated with domestic furniture.

Material: Metal & Terrazzo.

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Svincolo 1979 – Ettore Sottsass

Material: Plastic Laminate & Neon.

Lamp

Designed for Studio Alcymia.

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Ashoka 1981 – Ettore Sottsass

Material: Painted Metal

Lamp

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Casablanca 1981 – Ettore Sottsass

Cupboard

The Casablanca showcases Sottsass’ use of decorated plastic laminates, which he embraced as `a material with no culture`.

Sottsass wanted to bring laminates out of the kitchen, bathroom and playroom into the formal rooms of the house.

Material: Plastic Laminate, Wood.

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Beverly Sideboard 1981 – Ettore Sottsass

Sideboard

The Beverly Sideboard is one of Sottsass’ more radical designs. The use of plastic laminate contrasts with the rare natural briar wood.

Material: Plastic Laminate, Natural Briar & Metal

This piece is an example of Memphis’ practice of using the rare and the commonplace together.

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Oceanic 1981 – Michele De Lucchi

Lamp

The form of this lamp gives the impression of an advancing sea snake.

This is enhanced by the cable running through each of the candy strip tubes.

Material: Metal

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Ginza 1982 – Masanori Umeda

Material: Wood, Metal & Plastic Laminate

Cabinet

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Cuculus Canorus 1982 – Matteo Thun

Teapot Material: Ceramic

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Kristall 1981 – Michele De Lucchi

Table

This table has been described as an obedient dog waiting patiently besides its master’s chair or alternatively a waiter carrying a tray high above his head through a crowded bar.

Material: Plastic Laminate, Lacquered Wood & Metal.

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Alcor 1983 – Ettore Sottsass

Vase Material: Blown Glass

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Sol – Ettore Sottsass

Fruit Dish

Working in glass and ceramics Ettore Sottsass enjoyed even greater freedom from the modernist principle of form following function.

Material: Glass

The unusual combination of blown glass and worked shapes demonstrates Sottsass’ desire to create new and expressive products.

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Api 1981 – Matteo Thun

Ashtray

Matteo Thuns designs are complex sculptures whose function is secondary to their appearance

Material: Ceramic

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Carrot Vase 1985 – Nathalie Pasquier

VaseMaterial: Ceramic

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Cucumber 1985 – Martine Bedin

Vase Material: Ceramic

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Caravanserraglio 1979 – Ettore Sottsass

Bowl Material: Lacquered Wood

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Titicaa 1982 – Matteo Thun

Vase Material - Porcelain

Although often outrageous in appearance some of the pieces like `Titicaa` demonstrated extraordinary craftsmanship.

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Ontario Erie Superior Michigan 1982 – Matteo Thun

Pepper / Salt Shaker

Material: Ceramic

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Tindouf 1979 – Paola Navone

Wooden Cabinet with Shutter

Material: Plastic Laminate & Wood.

Shutter finished in Lacquer

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Tavolino Primavera 1980 – Ettore Sottsass

Table Material: Aluminium & Laminate Base

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Piccadilly 1982 – Gerald Taylor

Small Lamp

Material: Plastic Laminate & Metal

Gerald Taylor was born in Glasgow and moved to Milan in 1982 after studying at the Royal Academy.

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Tawaraya ring 1981 – Masanori Umeda49

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