Memphis

A Design Movement

Memphis• A landmark in design history• Heralded as the new ‘International style’• Aimed to:

– Eliminate “peaceful conformity”i.e. not to do something “because that’s the way it’s always been done”.

– Present alternatives to late 1970’s formal design culture

– Revive radical design– Break down social class barriers (make

design accessible to everyone)– Inject flair with colour and materials

Ginza Robot Cabinet 1982

Dubline Sofa 1981

Memphis – the history

• Led by Ettore Sottsass• Formed in 1981• Sottsass was described

as “a forward-looking designer who was also mischievous”

• Disbanded in 1988

Sottsass Products

• Inspiration from popular culture, travel.

• Colourful• Humorous!• New materials:

Formica, Laminates• Experimented with

ceramics and fibreglass

Ceramic Teapot Basilico 1969

Fibreglass furniture 1970

Sottsass Products• Products were typically ‘home’ artefacts which

followed the doctrine of design for all and created bright, interesting , functional products and allowed all social classes access to these products.

• Sottsass and later the Memphis group, adopted a ‘revival of radical design’ and wanted to move away from dark, often black products which were ‘boring and mundain’.

• Plastic laminate surfaces, ceramics and fibreglass allowed expression, creativity and an injection of colour and excitement.

Altair Vase Deneb Glass 1982

Sottsass Style

All products continued in the theme and had the Sottsass characteristics:

bold, bright, vibrant colours, exotic laminates and veneers with wild patterns, geometric shapes and most of all; a sense of fun!

Valentine Typewriter

for Ollivetti in 1969

Memphis Products• Carlton Cabinet 1981

Typical Memphis style with all themes:

(colour, shape, materials).

• Casablanca Sideboard 1982

Influence from travel –

Can you guess where?

Beverly Sideboard 1981

Memphis Barstool

Carlton Cabinet 1981

Casablanca Sideboard 1982

Memphis Products

Ashoka Lamp

Belvedere Table D’Antibes Cabinet SuperlampLapislazzuli Teapot

Piccadilly Table Lamp

Mirror Lamp

Sottsass and MemphisThe Influences on other Products

•Responsible for transforming colours used

•Introduced new materials and combinations of materials.

•Broke down class barriers – design for everyone!

•Transformed Interior products – glassware, ceramics, lighting, cabinets etc.

•Questioned tradition and accepted designs.

•Injected ‘humour’ into products

Question - Where would you have to go to buy modern Memphis inspired products nowadays?