Memphis Milano Poster White/Black Paper. Dimensions: L 50.5 x H 71 cm. The
„Memphis Milano“ catalogue includes icons designed by the famous Memphis
collective between 1981 and 1988. True works of art, these collector's items
revolutionised the creative and commercial logic of design in the 80s. Founded
in Milan in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass, the Memphis group brought together
international architects and designers such as Michele De Lucchi, Matteo Thun,
Martine Bedin, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Shiro Kuramata, George J. Sowden …
A true cultural phenomenon, Memphis really shook up the design codes by
voluntarily stepping outside of the lines of „good taste“ of the time. It
was out with the pure, hard functionalism and austerity Bauhaus-style, and in
came fantasy with colourful and eccentric creations. The first Memphis
collection landed in the design world like a bombshell: prolifically exuberant
motifs, explosive colours, intrepid asymmetries, geometric forms stacked like
totems, use of plastic laminate previously dismissed as „cheap“ combined
with noble materials (marble, burr walnut), etc. Soon, Memphis became THE
subversive label of Italian design with its wacky, colourful world inspired by
comics, Pop Art, cinema, Kitsch and Art Deco. It was a revolution: design, until
then confined to the showrooms, invaded the media and inflamed passion.
Considered symbols of Anti-design and New Design, the Memphis creations are
above all the manifestation of an unlimited creativity which breaks free of the
constraints dictated by industry and the law of the market. Within the confines
of design, architecture, art and post-modernism, these exceptional pieces are
now sought after by collectors around the world and exhibited in the most
prestigious museums. This black and white screen print on paper was designed in
1983 by George J. Sowden, one of the founding members of the legendary Memphis
group. This is a limited edition run of 99 units, numbered and signed by the
artist. The „Drawing for Interior“ series includes three screen prints,
depicting rooms furnished in the purest form of Memphis style. We can spot
certain iconic furniture pieces created by Sowden: the Pierre table, the Palace
armchair, the Cabinet d'Antibes cabinet… The profusion of motley motifs boosts
the expressive energy of these dreamlike interiors.
