Memphis Design
This post-modern design movement was started in 1980 by Ettore Sottsass in Milan as a response to the clean aesthetic and minimalist attitude of mid-century modern design. In contrast, Memphis design sought to push the boundaries of design with a focus on the radical, unusual, and funky. Pulling inspiration from the art deco and pop-art periods, it projects an array of bold shapes and bright colors. The movement took roots in Sottsass’s design and architecture collective, Memphis Group or Memphis Milano, and set itself apart from the way in which it used and perceived materials, creating a sense of unreality to trick the eye into what it was seeing.
In recent months we have curated and sold many unique pieces that follow the lead set by Memphis Milano and the furniture, lighting, ceramics, and objects that were created in their studio.
Discover the movement’s characteristics as demonstrated by our catalog:
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Stained Glass Window Panel With Floral Motif
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Offset Lithograph After Claude Monet "Le Bassin des Nympheas"
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Coach Mini Crosby Crossbody Carryall In Silver/Blue Black Badlands Flora
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
6'11 x 11'1 Hand-Knotted Persian Kashan Area Rug
1. A mix of scale and shape used to create abstract designs
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Derek Jeter Signed Rawlings Official Major League Baseball with Display
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Luc LeBon Abstract Expressionistic Style Acrylic Painting "Boundary Waters #1"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Hickory Mfg. Co. French Provincial Style Oak Two-Drawer Bombé Low Chest
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Vintage and Antique Glass Beaded Flapper Sautoir Necklaces
2. Bright colors in unusual hues
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Tricia Bass Oil Painting of Dog "Bella's Daisies"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Replica Antique Style Telephones
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Kathleen Quinn Oil Painting After Carol Rowan of a Still Life with Tulips, 2003
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Veronica Beard Single-Button Blazer
3. Patterns, such as squiggles, stripes, and checks
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Men's Filson Quilted Jacket, L.L. Bean Fishing Vest, Orvis Rain Jacket, and More
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
TAG Heuer Aquaracer 18K and Stainless Steel Swiss Quartz Wristwatch
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Scott Addis Large-Scale Abstract Landscape Oil Painting
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Irma Pfannmoeller Portrait Oil Painting of Happy Chandler
4. Materials like laminate, Terrazzo, and industrial products
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Landscape Oil Painting of Countryside Estate, Late 20th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Offset Lithograph After John Butler "Ring True I"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Offset Lithograph After Guy Coheleach "Snowy Egret"
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Marc Chagall Color Lithograph Front Cover From "Verve," 1956
The name of the movement originates from the night in which the Memphis Group was started. Ettore and his contemporaries were discussing design while at a party. Bob Dylan’s “Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again” was playing in the background and thus the name was pulled from that moment. Together this collective set out to change the face of design; each going on to create various design pieces in the Memphis style.
The Memphis movement set itself apart from previous movements through the strength of its designs. By skewing traditional uses of scale, color, pattern, and shape, the Memphis movement ultimately changed the previous perception of design. However, such bold designs did not equate to great commercial success and the movement subsequently came to an end in 1987. However, its avant-garde style did manage to attract the attention of notable collectors, such as Karl Lagerfeld and David Bowie.
With mid-century modern gaining mass popularity in recent years, it makes sense that now Memphis design is increasing in popularity as well, though the movement’s short lifespan is making it harder for collectors seeking an original design. Some original designs are still in production today and larger retailers are beginning to embrace the once-snubbed movement, manufacturing designs with striking similarities to those of the 80s.
Photo courtesy of wikipedia