Bettws High School Newport 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 1981 – Ettore Sottsass Memphis Carlton Sideboard. Material: Covered in Plastic Laminate. 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. The Carlton Sideboard presents itself loudly as a symbolic monument to all things Memphis. Carlton 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 4

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Tahiti 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 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. Material: Plastic Laminate & Metal `Tahti` typifies the Disney-like naivety and impudence associated with so many Memphis products. Memphis Tahiti 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 6

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Ettore Sottsass 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

Memphis Fibreglass Lamp Martine Bedin also worked with the avante-garde 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 bare-bulbed simplicity. Super 1981 – Martine Bedin 9

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Memphis Material: Metal Lamp This use of colour accentuates the fact it is made up from an assortment of component parts. Memphis 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. Treetops 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 12

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Lido 1982 – Michelle De Lucchi Material: Wood, Plastic Laminate, Metal & Fabric Sofa Memphis This squat Lido sofa mixes different historical styles. Lido 1982 – Michelle De Lucchi 14

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D’Antibes 1981 – George Sowden 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. Material: Lacqured and Silkscreen Wood. The cabinet is painted in bright nursery colours. Memphis D’Antibes 1981 – George Sowden 16

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Sinerpica 1979 – Michele De Lucchi Lamp Material: Enamelled Metal. Memphis Sinerpica 1979 – Michele De Lucchi 19

First 1993 – Michele De Lucchi Material: Metal & Lacquered Wood. The `First` has proved to be one of Memphis’ best selling furniture pieces. 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 First 1993 – Michele De Lucchi 20

Riviera 1981 – Michelle De Lucchi Material: Metal, Plastic Laminate and Pink Chintz. Michelle De Lucchi worked with Studio Alchymia and Sottsass Associati in Milan before becoming one of the most active and versatile members of Memphis. Chair The Riviera chair is a deliberate statement of `bad taste`. Memphis Riviera 1981 – Michelle De Lucchi 21

Table The Kyoto’ elegant simplicity is offset by the use of brightly coloured Terrazzo. This material is not usually associated with domestic furniture. Material: Metal & Terrazzo. Memphis Kyoto 1983 – Shiro Kuramata 22

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Svincolo 1979 – Ettore Sottsass Lamp Material: Plastic Laminate & Neon. Memphis Designed for Studio Alcymia. Svincolo 1979 – Ettore Sottsass 24

Ashoka 1981 – Ettore Sottsass Lamp Material: Painted Metal Memphis Ashoka 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 25

Casablanca 1981 – Ettore Sottsass Material: Plastic Laminate, Wood. Cupboard The Casablanca showcases Sottsass’ use of decorated plastic laminates, which he embraced as `a material with no culture`. Memphis Sottsass wanted to bring laminates out of the kitchen, bathroom and playroom into the formal rooms of the house. Casablanca 1981 – Ettore Sottsass 26

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Beverly Sideboard 1981 – Ettore Sottsass Material: Plastic Laminate, Natural Briar & Metal 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

Oceanic 1981 – Michele De Lucchi Lamp The form of this lamp gives the impression of an advancing sea snake. Material: Metal Memphis This is enhanced by the cable running through each of the candy strip tubes. Oceanic 1981 – Michele De Lucchi 29

Memphis Cabinet Material: Wood, Metal & Plastic Laminate Ginza 1982 – Masanori Umeda 30

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Cuculus Canorus 1982 – Matteo Thun Teapot Material: Ceramic Memphis Cuculus Canorus 1982 – Matteo Thun 32

Kristall 1981 – Michele De Lucchi 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. Material: Plastic Laminate, Lacquered Wood & Metal. Memphis Kristall 1981 – Michele De Lucchi 33

Alcor 1983 – Ettore Sottsass Vase Material: Blown Glass Memphis Alcor 1983 – Ettore Sottsass 34

Memphis Fruit Dish Material: Glass Working in glass and ceramics Ettore Sottsass enjoyed even greater freedom from the modernist principle of form following function. Material: Glass The unusual combination of blown glass and worked shapes demonstrates Sottsass’ desire to create new and expressive products. Memphis Sol – Ettore Sottsass 35

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Memphis Ashtray Material: Ceramic Matteo Thuns designs are complex sculptures whose function is secondary to their appearance Memphis Material: Ceramic Api 1981 – Matteo Thun 37

Carrot Vase 1985 – Nathalie Pasquier Memphis Material: Ceramic Carrot Vase 1985 – Nathalie Pasquier 38

Cucumber 1985 – Martine Bedin Vase Memphis Material: Ceramic Cucumber 1985 – Martine Bedin 39

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Caravanserraglio 1979 – Ettore Sottsass Bowl Material: Lacquered Wood Memphis Caravanserraglio 1979 – Ettore Sottsass 41

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Memphis Vase 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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Ontario Erie Superior Michigan 1982 – Matteo Thun Pepper / Salt Shaker Material: Ceramic Memphis Ontario Erie Superior Michigan 1982 – Matteo Thun 45

Memphis Material: Plastic Laminate & Wood. Wooden Cabinet with Shutter Shutter finished in Lacquer Tindouf 1979 – Paola Navone 46

Tavolino Primavera 1980 – Ettore Sottsass Material: Aluminium & Laminate Base Table Memphis Tavolino Primavera 1980 – Ettore Sottsass 47

Piccadilly 1982 – Gerald Taylor Material: Plastic Laminate & Metal Small Lamp Memphis Gerald Taylor was born in Glasgow and moved to Milan in 1982 after studying at the Royal Academy. Piccadilly 1982 – Gerald Taylor 48

Tawaraya ring 1981 – Masanori Umeda Memphis Tawaraya ring 1981 – Masanori Umeda 49

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