ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
tawaraya, a boxing ring-cum-playpen with a monochrome striped base, pastel colored ropes
designed by masanori umeda
image © designboom

memphis group founded by ettore sottsass in 1980 held a retrospective exhibition
titled ‘memphis blues’ at the galleria carla sozzani earlier this year. curated by barbara radice,
the set of exhibition was designed by michele de lucchi and the graphic work was by cristoph radl.

sottsass called memphis design the new international style and plunged the sophisticated
and influential milan design world into a labyrinth of visual irony, puns and provocations.
the standards of ‘good form’ design that had been considered unassailable for years lost their
claim to timeless validity for sottsass and his fellow-workers. the idea they had in common
was to eliminate the peaceful conformity of furniture design and present concrete alternatives
to the late 70s standard formal culture. the group existed until 1988.

ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
the members of the original 1981 memphis collective in the tawaraya boxing ring-cum-conversation pit.

ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘carlton’, 1981 by ettore sottsass
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
casablanca, 1981 by ettore sottsass
wood/plastic laminate in colors
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
arm chair, 1982 by peter shire
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
arm chair, 1982 by peter shire
image © designboom

ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
chair, 1983 by michele de lucchi
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘kristall’ by michelle de lucci for memphis, 1981
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘kristall’ by michelle de lucci for memphis, 1981
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘cabinet d’antibes’ by george sowden
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘cabinet d’antibes’ by george sowden
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
clesitera e maia, 1986 by ettore sottsass
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘beverly’, 1981 by ettore sottsass
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
image © designboom

ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘ashoka’ lamp, 1981 by ettore sottsass
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘tahiti’ lamp, 1981 by ettore sottsass
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
general view of the exhibition
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
general view of the exhibition
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
ceramic work
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
detail
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
metal work
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
detail
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘tartar’ consolle, 1985 by ettore sottsass
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘tartar’, 1985
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ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘treetops’ luminaire, 1981 by ettore sottsass
image © designboom

ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘treetops’ luminaire, 1981 by ettore sottsass
image © designboom

ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition
‘malabar’, 1982 by ettore sottsass
image © designboom