ettore sottsass: memphis retrospective exhibition

tawaraya, a boxing ring-cum-playpen with a monochrome striped base, pastel colored ropes
designed by masanori umeda
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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.

the members of the original 1981 memphis collective in the tawaraya boxing ring-cum-conversation pit.

‘carlton’, 1981 by ettore sottsass
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casablanca, 1981 by ettore sottsass
wood/plastic laminate in colors
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arm chair, 1982 by peter shire
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arm chair, 1982 by peter shire
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chair, 1983 by michele de lucchi
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‘kristall’ by michelle de lucci for memphis, 1981
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‘kristall’ by michelle de lucci for memphis, 1981
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‘cabinet d’antibes’ by george sowden
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‘cabinet d’antibes’ by george sowden
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clesitera e maia, 1986 by ettore sottsass
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‘beverly’, 1981 by ettore sottsass
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‘ashoka’ lamp, 1981 by ettore sottsass
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‘tahiti’ lamp, 1981 by ettore sottsass
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general view of the exhibition
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general view of the exhibition
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ceramic work
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detail
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metal work
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detail
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‘tartar’ consolle, 1985 by ettore sottsass
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‘tartar’, 1985
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‘treetops’ luminaire, 1981 by ettore sottsass
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‘treetops’ luminaire, 1981 by ettore sottsass
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‘malabar’, 1982 by ettore sottsass
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