1. Bettws High School Newport
Memphis
Steve Smith
Bettws High School Newport 1

2. Memphis 2

3. 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

4. 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

5. Memphis 5

6. 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

7. Memphis 7

8. Ettore Sottsass
Ettore Sottsass was born in Austria in 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

9. 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

10. Memphis 10

11. Memphis 11

12. 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

13. Memphis 13

14. 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

15. Memphis 15

16. 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

17. Memphis 17

18. Memphis 18

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Memphis 23

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

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

26. 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

27. Memphis 27

28. 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

29. 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

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

31. Memphis 31

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

33. 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

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

35. 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

36. Memphis 36

37. 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

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

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

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

42. Memphis 42

43. Memphis Vase Material - Porcelain
Although often outrageous in appearance some of the pieces like `Titicaa` demonstrated extraordinary craftsmanship.
Titicaa 1982 – Matteo Thun 43

44. Memphis 44

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

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

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

48. 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

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

50. Memphis 50