Memphis Steve Smith Bettws High School Newport 1
Memphis Steve Smith Bettws High School Newport 1
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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. 3
Carlton Sideboard. Memphis Material: Covered in Plastic Laminate. The Carlton Sideboard presents itself loudly as a symbolic monument to all things Memphis. Carlton 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 4 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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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. Memphis `Tahti` typifies the Disneylike naivety and impudence associated with so many Memphis products. Tahiti 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 6 Material: Plastic Laminate & Metal
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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. 8
Fibreglass Lamp Memphis Martine Bedin also worked with the avantegarde design group Superstudio in Florence before joining Studio Alchymia. The Glossy Art Deco look of the base is offset by the lamps push along playfulness and barebulbed simplicity. Super 1981 – Martine Bedin 9
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Lamp 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. Memphis This use of colour accentuates the fact it is made up from an assortment of component parts. Treetops 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 12 Material: Metal
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Sofa Memphis This squat Lido sofa mixes different historical styles. Lido 1982 – Michelle De Lucchi 14 Material: Wood, Plastic Laminate, Metal & Fabric
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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. Memphis The cabinet is painted in bright nursery colours. D’Antibes 1981 – George Sowden 16 Material: Lacqured and Silkscreen Wood.
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Lamp Memphis Sinerpica 1979 – Michele De Lucchi 19 Material: Enamelled Metal.
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. Memphis The `First` has proved to be one of Memphis’ best selling furniture pieces. First 1993 – Michele De Lucchi 20 Material: Metal & Lacquered Wood.
Chair Memphis Michelle De Lucchi worked with Studio Alchymia and Sottsass Associati in Milan before becoming one of the most active and versatile members of Memphis. The Riviera chair is a deliberate statement of `bad taste`. Riviera 1981 – Michelle De Lucchi 21 Material: Metal, Plastic Laminate and Pink Chintz.
Table Memphis The Kyoto’ elegant simplicity is offset by the use of brightly coloured Terrazzo. This material is not usually associated with domestic furniture. Kyoto 1983 – Shiro Kuramata 22 Material: Metal & Terrazzo.
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Lamp Memphis Material: Plastic Laminate & Neon. Designed for Studio Alcymia. Svincolo 1979 – Ettore Sottsass 24
Lamp Memphis Ashoka 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 25 Material: Painted Metal
Cupboard Memphis 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. Casablanca 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 26 Material: Plastic Laminate, Wood.
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Sideboard The Beverly Sideboard is one of Sottsass’ more radical designs. The use of plastic laminate contrasts with the rare natural briar wood. Memphis This piece is an example of Memphis’ practice of using the rare and the commonplace together. Beverly Sideboard 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 28 Material: Plastic Laminate, Natural Briar & Metal
Lamp Memphis This is enhanced by the cable running through each of the candy strip tubes. The form of this lamp gives the impression of an advancing sea snake. Oceanic 1981 – Michele De Lucchi 29 Material: Metal
Cabinet Memphis Ginza 1982 – Masanori Umeda 30 Material: Wood, Metal & Plastic Laminate
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Teapot Memphis Cuculus Canorus 1982 – Matteo Thun 32 Material: Ceramic
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. Memphis Kristall 1981 – Michele De Lucchi 33 Material: Plastic Laminate, Lacquered Wood & Metal.
Vase Memphis Alcor 1983 – Ettore Sottsass 34 Material: Blown Glass
Fruit Dish Working in glass and ceramics Ettore Sottsass enjoyed even greater freedom from the modernist principle of form following function. Memphis The unusual combination of blown glass and worked shapes demonstrates Sottsass’ desire to create new and expressive products. Sol – Ettore Sottsass 35 Material: Glass
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Ashtray Memphis Matteo Thuns designs are complex sculptures whose function is secondary to their appearance Api 1981 – Matteo Thun 37 Material: Ceramic
Vase Memphis Carrot Vase 1985 – Nathalie Pasquier 38 Material: Ceramic
Vase Memphis Cucumber 1985 – Martine Bedin 39 Material: Ceramic
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Bowl Memphis Caravanserraglio 1979 – Ettore Sottsass 41 Material: Lacquered Wood
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Vase Memphis Material Porcelain Although often outrageous in appearance some of the pieces like `Titicaa` demonstrated extraordinary craftsmanship. Titicaa 1982 – Matteo Thun 43
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Pepper / Salt Shaker Memphis Material: Ceramic Ontario Erie Superior Michigan 1982 – Matteo Thun 45
Wooden Cabinet with Shutter Memphis Material: Plastic Laminate & Wood. Shutter finished in Lacquer Tindouf 1979 – Paola Navone 46
Table Memphis Tavolino Primavera 1980 – Ettore Sottsass 47 Material: Aluminium & Laminate Base
Small Lamp Memphis Material: Plastic Laminate & Metal Gerald Taylor was born in Glasgow and moved to Milan in 1982 after studying at the Royal Academy. Piccadilly 1982 – Gerald Taylor 48
Memphis Tawaraya ring 1981 – Masanori Umeda 49
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