AUDI forum neckarsulm: design icons of pinakothek der moderne

‘la mamma’ (also ‘la donna’) by gaetano pesce, 1969produced by B&B italia, novedrate, italypossession of ‘die neue sammlung’ – the international design museum munichin the background: AUDI R8 coupé, 2006image © designboom

as a ‘satellite’ of the schaustelle for the pinakothek der moderne, munich by j. mayer h. architects, die neue sammlung is exhibiting a selection of its permanent collection at the AUDI forum in neckarsulm, germany. ‘design icons’ marks the start of the joint-project ‘AUDI hosts with the pinakothek der moderne,’ which is supporting the temporary exhibition of the four pinakothek museums by providing visitors with an interactive action space in munich. until the end of june, visitors and customers to the AUDI forum neckarsulm will be offered insights into 150 years of design history. the displays are considered milestones in furniture design and capture movements such as industrialization and mass production, new postwar materials, pop art, and post-modern and romantic components, many of which are standard bearers for the design language of the future.

‘wassily’ chair by marcel breuer, 1925produced by gebrüder thonet, frankenberg, germanypossession of ‘die neue sammlung’ – the international design museum munichimage © designboom

the director of die neue sammlung dr. florian hufnagl describes the exhibition’s artistic concept: ‘we wanted to show the design of innovative solutions – solutions that integrate industrial processes and production techniques into an aesthetic expression of objects.’ the exhibits are representative of different eras: from the industrial revolution and the 1920s, to the postwar period and the 1960s, to today. for instance, the forward-looking cinderella table created by dutch designer jeroen verhoeven in 2005. for a look further back in time, visitors can enjoy the stools and chairs of the rhineland cabinet-maker michael thonet.

‘LAR chair’ by charles and ray eames, 1948produced by herman miller furniture company, new zealand/michiganpossession of ‘die neue sammlung’ – the international design museum munichimage © designboom

in the mid-19th century, furniture design was reduced to just a few elements, making the advent of its mass production possible. no other chair in the world was produced as much as model no. 14. also on exhibit is the room divider created by french woman charlotte perriand in 1953 as are works by marcel breuer, charles and ray eames, gaetano pesce and ettore sottsass.

‘LAR chair’ by charles and ray eames, 1948image © designboom

‘progressive design is a core element of our products. with the AUDI TT and the R8 sports car, which is manufactured in neckarsulm, AUDI has made design history in the automobile industry. die neue sammlung’s ‘design icons’ is a good fit to this location and makes an exciting draw for visitors to the AUDI forum,’ says dr. frank dreves, AUDI board member for production.

exhibition viewimage © designboom

‘how high the moon’ chair by shiro kuramata, 1986produced by VITRA international AG weil am rhein, germanypossession of ‘die neue sammlung’ – the international design museum munichimage © designboom

cinderella table by jeroen verhoeven, 2005productions for demakersvan, rotterdam, netherlandspossession of ‘die neue sammlung – the international design museum munich’. acquired with the help of ‘ernst von siemens art foundation’ and funded by the conference of directors of the bavarian state painting collectionsimage © designboom

cinderella table by jeroen verhoeven, 2005image © designboom

brothers thonet chairs no. 14 and no. 22, 1850–1875 manufacturers: brothers thonet, vienna, austria possession of ‘die neue sammlung’ – the international design museum munich image © designboom

‘carlton’ room divider and shelf by ettore sottsass, 1981produced by memphis, pregnana milanese, milan, italypossession of ‘die neue sammlung’ – the international design museum munich image © designboom

room divider and shelf for ‘maison mexique’ by charlotte perriand and jean prouvé, 1953produced by les ateliers jean prouvé, maxêville, francepossession of ‘die neue sammlung’ – the international design museum munichimage © designboom