Dec 12, 2010 maybe because carlton breaks a lot of rules. Carlton bookcase roomdivider by ettore sottsass for memphis, 1981. In the latest instalment of our postmodernism series, we explore how its bright coloured laminates and playful kind typified memphis challenge to modernisms impersonal aesthetic. Decorative arts and design the montreal museum of fine arts antidesign. Emphasis has been placed on aesthetics, shape and form. His body of work included furniture, jewellery, glass.
Let us be inspired by ettore sottsass memphis furniture. From rago, ettore sottsass, memphis group, carlton bookcase, italy 1981, laminated wood, 77 34. Memphis milano carlton bookcase multicoloured made in. Carlton bookcase by ettore sottsass, carlton room divider, designed in 1981 by ettore sottsass, in wood and plastic laminate.
The memphis groups carlton bookcase master communicators. A rare look at pop icon david bowies private collection of art and furniture by the memphis group on view at the modernism museum. Intended for the higher end of the market and finely handcrafted, it is made of mediumdensity fiberboard mdf and cheap plastic laminate, a subversion of high and low. In the latest installment of our postmodernism series, we explore how its bright colored laminates and playful form typified memphis challenge to modernisms impersonal aesthetic. He designed the first laptop valentina by olivetti. The best memphis design movement trend pieces 2017 the. Produced in 1981, the original memphis design can still be seen as a display piece in art shows and design museums around the world, such as its exhibition at salone del mobile in 2014. In the latest instalment of our postmodernism series, we explore how its bright coloured laminates and playful form typified memphis challenge to modernisms impersonal aesthetic. Carlton is associated with the early 1980s memphis group, an association of designers led by sottsass who flipped the idea of good design on its head. The group were expert at communicating their ideas, and at manipulating ettore sottsass numerous contacts. The piece calls into question conventional furniture forms by combining a space divider, bookcase, and chest of drawers. In february 1981, the group met for just the second time to present the first drawings of furniture and objects to each other. The postmodern, popart inspired furniture, jewelry, and housewares he created filtered down into the vernacular of 1980s and 90s design think the redone deetz house in beetlejuice, or even the eyecatching interiors of shows like saved by the bell.
Jun 23, 2017 memphis design, pop culture, and the battle against good taste the 80s design collective was a radical departureand panned as a symbol of trendchasing yuppies by patrick sisson jun 23. The pieces are on loan for the exhibit at the modernism museum. Having graduated from the galileo ferraris high school, he enrolled in the department of architecture at the turin polytechnic, where he graduated in 1939. Wood and plastic laminate construction in an array of colors. Postmodernism in the works of ettore sottsass 1952 words. The carlton dresser and memphis design principles the carlton dresser displays some, but not all of the memphis design principles. Carlton is a nineminute conversation piece about an iconic bookcase, which stands in an empty gallery space. The most iconic work by the group was the carlton room divider in the memphis groups carlton bookcase. Honored with numerous international awards, was winner of the golden compass in 1959. Carlton room divider designed by ettore sottsass in 1981 for memphis milano.
Design by ettore sottsass carlton room divider, designed in 1981 by ettore sottsass, in wood and plastic laminate. Many of the pieces featured in the exhibition were coated in brightly, colourful laminates. Carlton bookcase roomdivider by ettore sottsass for. Carlton bookcase by ettore sottsass via memphis milano the group was born in december 1980, when a collective of designers, including hans hollein and martine bedin, got together in sottsasss apartment in milan. In the latest instalment of our postmodernism series, we explore how its bright coloured laminates and playful kind typified memphis challenge to modernisms impersonal aesthetic much more than any individual, sottsass is credited with introducing a postmodernist method into. From the collectionettore sottsass carlton bookcase. In the latest instalment of our postmodernism series.
Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the carlton bookcase and room divider, originally designed in 1981 by ettore sottsass. Ettore sottsass bookshelf features bright colors, unique styles, and playful forms that are common to memphis challenge to modernisms impersonal aesthetic. Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the carlton bookcase, originally. Ettore sottsass 19172007 was born in innsbruk in 1907. Designs for carlton bookcase and casablanca sideboard.
An ancient egyptian style, combined with modern materials, to form a designproduct. Created on the initiative of ettore sottsass and a group of young milanese architects and designers, shortly to be joined by some of the most famous names on the internatinal design scene, memphis overturned all the existing preconceptions around the idea of iving. The original memphis group created a wide range of bizarre creations that won celebrity fans from karl lagerfeld to david bowie. In the same year the group published the book memphis, the new international style. By memphis group, memphis milano, michael graves b. Ettore sottsass, carlton bookcase carlton bookcase and casablanca sideboard, 1981 by ettore sottsass jr. Memphis is the great cultural phenomenon of the 80s that has revolutionised the creative and commercial logic of the design world. In 1981 he founded the memphis group, a group that has radically changed the scenario of italian and world design. Sottsass carlton bookcase designed for the groups first collection epitomises his use of brightly coloured laminates, graphic forms and nonfunctional elements that became the defining style. One of the most influential and important figures of the last century, architect and designer, he has participated in all radical movements whether created from the 70s and 80s. Please wash your hands and practise social distancing. Other famous collectors of the memphis group include. Ettore sottsass, colonna, 1998, floor lamp in metal and marble, 78 34 x 17 34 x 11 34 in 200 x 45. Stories about the 1980s memphis group, the italian collective founded by ettore sottsass, including design and architecture influenced by the group.
Ettore sottsass 14 september 1917 31 december 2007 was an italian architect and designer during the 20th century. Carlton wood miniature bookcase, by ettore sottsass from memphis milano. Ettore sottsass carlton bookcase was the defining merchandise of the 1980s memphis group. His body of work included furniture, jewellery, glass, lighting, home objects and office machine design, as well as many buildings and interiors. Ettore sottsass, carlton bookcase memphis designs is the carlton bookcase designed by sottsass. The ashoka lamp is one of them but arguably the most iconic of all, and therefore the perfect start to this list, is ettore sottsass.
Sottsass was born on september 14, 1917, in innsbruck, austria, and grew up in. More than anyone, sottsass is credited with introducing a postmodernist approach into design by founding. The carlton bookcase and room divider, designed by ettore sottsass in 1981, italy. The memphis group of designers, founded in 1981, was. The best pieces to buy of the memphis design movement in 2017, now that the 1980s trend is back in a big way. Ettore sottsass, memphis group carlton bookcase, italy. The unveiling of the memphis groups furniture collection at the 1981 salone del mobile turned heads and set the direction for a new trend in international design. The memphis group in milan was founded by ettore in 1980 and ceased in design from its members were inspired by art deco, bauhaus and pop art. Buffets and cabinets share with you the postmodern design on ettore sottsass sideboards source. In the latest instalment of our postmodernism series, we explore how its bright coloured. The images and objects created by sottsass and the memphis group, the design school with which hes most often associated, transcend fine art. Preliminary designs for the carlton bookcase for the memphis design company, milan designed by ettore sottsass jr italian, b. The image below shows the carlton bookcase for memphis designed by ettore sottsass. The carlton bookcase by ettore sottsass, is one of 20 pieces on exhibit that once belonged to david bowie and are now in the hands of private collectors.
Nov 12, 2018 carlton bookcase by ettore sottsass via memphis milano the group was born in december 1980, when a collective of designers, including hans hollein and martine bedin, got together in sottsasss apartment in milan. Sep 18, 2019 stories about the 1980s memphis group, the italian collective founded by ettore sottsass, including design and architecture influenced by the group. This multifunctional piece is designed to blur functionality, or lack of functionality, which is typically postmodern. Riding these trends, the exhibition at palazzo franchetti evocatively encapsulates the whimsical irreverence that propelled the memphis group to stardom featuring several iconic pieces, such as sottsass most identifiable furniture design, the carlton bookcasea skeletonlike structure of different coloured horizontal, perpendicular and angled laminated surfacesand martine bedins. Andrea branzi, magnolia, 1984, bookcase in metal, plastic laminate, glass, 82 x 78 34 x 19 34 in 208.
May 11, 2020 the carlton bookcase by ettore sottsass was one of the most defining products of the 1980s for the memphis group. Memphis design, pop culture, and the battle against good. The austroitalian designer ettore sottsass 19172007 is one of the most influential and unconventional figures in twentiethcentury design. The carlton bookcase was created in the 1980s by memphis, the milanese design group founded by ettore sottsass, a grandee of italian design.
Dec 04, 2019 the images and objects created by sottsass and the memphis group, the design school with which hes most often associated, transcend fine art. After his death, his collection was auctioned off and for this exhibit, gathered together for one of the most comprehensive exhibitions of memphis group art and furniture. The work of the memphis design movement has been described as vibrant, eccentric and ornamental, and yet little about memphis was truly innovative. His father ettore sottsass senior was an architect and his mother was austrian. Ettore sottsass carlton bookcase was the defining product of the 1980s memphis group, typified by bright coloured laminates and playful forms. It combines functionality and beautiful design that works as a bookshelf, room divider, and even an open dresser. The amazing postmodern design on ettore sottsass sideboards. Most postwwii design objects and design theory had been ruled by the idea that there was a right way to do things. The carlton bookcase is probably the most famous piece from the memphis, italy line. Memphis design, pop culture, and the battle against good taste the 80s design collective was a radical departureand panned as a symbol of trendchasing yuppies by patrick sisson jun 23. Most postwwii design objects and design theory had been ruled by the idea that there was a.
We will write a custom essay on postmodernism in the works of ettore sottsass specifically for you. Apr 10, 2008 the carlton bookcase is probably the most famous piece from the memphis, italy line. Shop authentic memphis group furniture and other memphis group furniture from the worlds best dealers. The totemic carlton room divider is a memphis icon. Having graduated from the galileo ferraris high school, he enrolled in the department of architecture at the. Much more than any individual, sottsass is credited with introducing a postmodernist method into layout. Remembering the 80s as a decade involves a vibrant color palette. Ettore sottsass carlton bookcase was the defining product of the 1980s memphis group. Dec 08, 2019 modernism and postmodernism are the most vivid movements in art and design of the 20 th century modernism with its concentration on the exact forms and lines appeared as the reaction to the traditional vision of art and design of the 19 th century with references to interesting forms and luxurious objects. Ettore sottsass carlton bookcase was the defining product of the 1980s memphis group, typified by bright coloured laminates and playful forms stay safe and healthy. A charming exhibition at the jewish museum in new york presents the religious and secular work of peter shire, an original member of the 1980s milanbased memphis design group, with other vintage. I can see how, since visually speaking the bookcase is certainly going to leave an impression on any viewer.
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