This multifunctional piece is designed to blur functionality, or lack of functionality, which is typically postmodern. Ettore sottsass, miniature carlton bookcase oct 03, 2019 lot 258. Carlton is associated with the early 1980s memphis group, an association of designers led by sottsass who flipped the idea of good design on its head. Ettore sottsass, carlton bookcase miniature carlton bookcase. In 1981 ettore sottsass presented his carlton dresser. The piece calls into question conventional furniture forms by combining a space divider, bookcase, and chest of drawers. In the latest instalment of our postmodernism series, we explore how its bright coloured laminates and playful kind typified memphis challenge to modernisms impersonal aesthetic.
Vintage totemic carlton bookcase by ettore sottsass for. In 1939 he graduated in architecture at the politecnico di torinoone of the most influential and important figures of the last century, architect and designer, he has participated in all radical movements whether created from the 70s and 80s. In the same year the group published the book memphis, the new international style. Carlton was designed by ettore sottsass for memphis design in 1981. Colorful iconic carlton bookcase or roomdivider designed by ettore sottsass for memphis milano in 1981. Having graduated from the galileo ferraris high school, he enrolled in the department of architecture at the. Much more than any individual, sottsass is credited with introducing a postmodernist method into.
Wood and plastic laminate construction in an array of colors. Having graduated from the galileo ferraris high school, he enrolled in the department of architecture at the turin polytechnic, where he graduated in 1939. See more ideas about memphis design, memphis milano and design. Ettore sottsass, who worked with knoll on three collections between 1983 and 1988, wanted to be everything that modernism wasnt. Of functionalism, sottsass expressed that its not enough. Dec 16, 2019 the carlton bookcase is perhaps the most recognizable object in connection to memphis and a direct realization of the groups antifunctionalist maxim. The carlton is an icon of italian 20th century design and one of the most outspoken pieces in the memphis design collection. An italian architect and designer known for his large oeuvre including furniture, jewelry, glass, lighting, and office design, ettore sottsass was also the founder in the early 1980s of the memphis group. It is typically post modern, in that can be described as a display piece or even a discussion piece. Dec 08, 2019 this essay on postmodernism in the works of ettore sottsass was written and submitted by your fellow student. Preliminary designs for the carlton bookcase for the memphis design company, milan designed by ettore sottsass jr italian, b. Ettore sottsass 19172007 was born in innsbruk in 1907. In the latest instalment of our postmodernism series, we explore how its bright coloured.
The founder of a half dozen design collectivesincluding giuseppe pagano, memphis group and sottsass associatisottsass became known for his asymmetric forms and, perhaps most of all, his flamboyant use of color, often in bold, clashing combinations. Designed by ettore sottsass italy 1981 the carlton bookcase was designed by ettore sottsass for memphis milano in 1981. Ettore sottsass, memphis group carlton bookcase, italy. Intended for the higher end of the market and finely handcrafted, it is made of mediumdensity fiberboard mdf and cheap plastic laminate, a subversion of high and low. The carlton bookcase is perhaps the most recognizable object in connection to memphis and a direct realization of the groups antifunctionalist maxim. More this paper has been submitted by user krystal park who studied at the university of tennessee at martin, usa, with average gpa 3. From wright, ettore sottsass, carlton bookcase 1981, laminate over wood, 78. This outstanding piece in bold colours features a wood, metal and plastic structure in mint vintage condition, size height. Dec 12, 2010 maybe because carlton breaks a lot of rules. Most postwwii design objects and design theory had been ruled by the idea that there was a right way to do things. His body of work included furniture, jewellery, glass, lighting, home objects and office machine design, as well as many buildings and interiors. Waddell, 1997 his aim, says benda, was to state and provoke ideas. Carlton bookcase roomdivider by ettore sottsass for. The carlton bookcase and room divider, designed by ettore sottsass in 1981, italy.
Heavy quality hpl high pressure laminate on wood construction in various colours. Ettore sottsass 14 september 1917 31 december 2007 was an italian architect and designer during the 20th century. In the latest instalment of our postmodernism series. The totemic carlton room divider is a memphis icon. The carlton room divider designed by ettore sottsass is arguably the most iconic piece among all. From the collectionettore sottsass carlton bookcase.
Created on the initiative of ettore sottsass and a group of young milanese architects and designers, shortly to be joined by some of the most famous names on the internatinal design scene, memphis overturned all the existing preconceptions around the idea of iving. Ettore sottsass 1917 2007 memphis carlton bookcase, italy, 1981 laminated wood metal label 77 34 x 74 34 x 34 condition a few minor nicks to edges and corners. Ettore sottsass, italian industrial designer born sept. Ettore sottsass carlton bookcase was the defining product of the 1980s memphis group. Ettore sottsass carlton bookcase was the defining merchandise of the 1980s memphis group. And so, the carlton is a bookcase, room divider and dresser all at once. Carlton bookcase by ettore sottsass, carlton room divider, designed in 1981 by ettore sottsass, in wood and plastic laminate. This is on full display in his casablanca sideboard and tartar table. But the groups leader, ettore sottsass, also had a wonderful sense of sculptural form. Memphis rejected the restraint and recognised goodtaste of functionally derived design, instead producing works with a sense of fun and provocation. Designs for carlton bookcase and casablanca sideboard. An architect and industrial designer known for his work with olivetti, sottsass convened the group after splitting off from studio alchymia and its leader alessandro. Ettore sottsass carlton bookcase was the defining product of the 1980s memphis group, typified by bright coloured laminates and playful forms stay safe and healthy. This piece was designed by ettore sottsass in the 1980s.
Sep 18, 2019 ettore sottsass memphis designs join eccentric contemporary furnishings that decorate a townhouse in new yorks. Jun 23, 2017 memphis design, pop culture, and the battle against good taste the 80s design collective was a radical departureand panned as a symbol of trendchasing yuppies by patrick sisson jun 23. Memphis design, pop culture, and the battle against good. Memphis founder ettore sottsass 19172007 was the groups oldest and most famous member.
From rago, ettore sottsass, memphis group, carlton bookcase, italy 1981, laminated wood, 77 34. This piece derives from a production manufactured circa 1995 labelled and is in excellent condition. The vivid colors and seemingly random interplay of solids and voids suggest avantgarde painting and sculpture. Memphis milano carlton bookcase multicoloured made in. Please wash your hands and practise social distancing. Total edition of, this one numbered 317, marked with edition number and e. Ettore sottsass italian industrial designer britannica. Finely handcrafted, it is made of mediumdensity fiberboard mdf and cheap plastic laminate, a subversion of high and low. Iconic carlton bookcase designed by ettore sottsass for memphis milano in 1981, old production manufactured circa 1990. While at first sight the slanted shelving seems counterintuitive, it accommodates books which often. Decorative arts and design the montreal museum of fine arts antidesign. If you are a fan of colors then the carlton bookcase from memphis italy is sure to speak to you. Anniversario 19812011ettore sottsass, 1981carlton edizione anniversario n. But memphis came out of the radical design movement of milan, its hometown.
Near mint original condition with the original memphis stamp. In the latest instalment of our postmodernism series, we explore how its bright coloured laminates and playful form typified memphis challenge to modernisms impersonal aesthetic. The importance of being ettore sottsass the art newspaper. He started as a design consultant for olivetti in the 1950s but in the 60s he started developing a range of objects with inspiration of his impressions from traveling in india and america. The image below shows the carlton bookcase for memphis designed by ettore sottsass. Ettore sottsass carlton bookcase was the defining product of the 1980s memphis. Memphis is the great cultural phenomenon of the 80s that has revolutionised the creative and commercial logic of the design world. Ettore sottsass, carlton bookcase carlton bookcase 1. Sottsass developed a vision of design as an instrument for social criticism, which led him to maintain that carlton bookcase, 1981 design is one way to discuss life.
Carlton room divider, designed in 1981 by ettore sottsass, in wood and plastic laminate. Ettore sottsass was a designer and architect based in italy. Historical museum piece, appears in moma new york collection. Much of the groups furniture and object design evolved from geometric forms. Postmodernism in the works of ettore sottsass 1952 words. As a dresser it lacks functionality, in fact it would be fair to describe this furniture as virtually unusable. It is a way to discuss society, politics, eroticism, food and even design. His father ettore sottsass senior was an architect and his mother was austrian. Designs for carlton bookcase and casablanca sideboard, 1981 by ettore sottsass jr. Design by ettore sottsass carlton room divider, designed in 1981 by ettore sottsass, in wood and plastic laminate. This multicolored bookcase is made of pattern laminate.
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