Alpha Centaury Glass Flower Vase, by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano Collection
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)Diameter: 5.12 in (13 cm)
- Style:Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Contemporary
- Production Type:New & Custom(Current Production)
- Estimated Production Time:1-2 weeks
- Condition:
- Seller Location:La Morra, IT
- Reference Number:
Memphis Milano
To many people, postmodern design is synonymous with the Memphis Group. This Italian collaborative created the most radical and attention-getting designs of the period, upending most of the accepted standards of how furniture should look. Today, the Memphis Milano brand, which is managed by Alberto Bianchi Albrici, still produces designs created by the group between 1981 and 1988.
The Memphis story begins in 1980, when Ettore Sottsass, then a beacon of Italian postmodernism, tapped a coterie of younger designers to develop a collection for the Milan Furniture Fair the next year, determined that all the new furniture they were then seeing was boring. Their mission: Boldly reject the stark minimalism of the 1970s and shatter the rules of form and function. (Sottsass’s Ultrafragola mirror, designed in 1970, embodied many of what would become the collective’s postmodern ideals.)
The group decided to design, produce and market their own collection, one that wouldn’t be restricted by concerns like functionality and so-called good taste. Its debut, at Milan’s 1981 Salone del Mobile, drew thousands of viewers and caused a major stir in design circles.
So as a record of Bob Dylan’s “Stuck Inside of Mobile” played on repeat, they took their name from the song, devised their marketing strategy and plotted the postmodern look that would come to define the decade of excess — primary colors, blown-up proportions, playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art. A high-low mix of materials also helped define Memphis, as evidenced by Javier Mariscal’s pastel serving trays, which feature laminate veneer — a material previously used only in kitchens — as well as Shiro Kuramata’s Nara and Kyoto tables made from colored glass-infused terrazzo.
An image of Sottsass posing with his collaborators in a conversation pit shaped like a boxing ring appeared in magazines all over the world, and Karl Lagerfield furnished his Monte Carlo penthouse entirely in Memphis furniture. Meanwhile, members like Andrea Branzi, Aldo Cibic, Michele de Lucchi, Nathalie du Pasquier, Kuramata, Paola Navone, Peter Shire, George Sowden, Sottsass and his wife, journalist Barbara Radice, went on to enjoy fruitful careers.
Some people think of the Milan-based collective as the design equivalent to Patrick Nagel’s kitschy screenprints, but for others Memphis represents what made the early 1980s so great: freedom of expression, dizzying patterns and off-the-wall colors.
Eventually, the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990s minimalism, and Memphis fell out of fashion. Sottsass left the group in 1985, and by 1987, it had disbanded. Yet decades later, Memphis is back and can be traced to today’s most exciting designers.
“As someone who was born in the 1980s, Memphis at times feels like the grown-up, artsy version of the toys I used to play with,” says Shaun Kasperbauer, cofounder of the Brooklyn studio Souda. “It feels a little nostalgic, but at the same time it seems like an aesthetic that’s perfectly suited to an internet age — loud, colorful and utilizing forms that are graphic and often a little unexpected.”
Find a collection of Memphis Milano seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Memphis Group
To many people, postmodern design is synonymous with the Memphis Group. This Italian collaborative created the most radical and attention-getting designs of the period, upending most of the accepted standards of how furniture should look.
The Memphis story begins in 1980, when Ettore Sottsass, then a beacon of Italian postmodernism, tapped a coterie of younger designers to develop a collection for the Milan Furniture Fair the next year, determined that all the new furniture they were then seeing was boring. Their mission: Boldly reject the stark minimalism of the 1970s and shatter the rules of form and function. (Sottsass’s Ultrafragola mirror, designed in 1970, embodied many of what would become the collective’s postmodern ideals.)
The group decided to design, produce and market their own collection, one that wouldn’t be restricted by concerns like functionality and so-called good taste. Its debut, at Milan’s 1981 Salone del Mobile, drew thousands of viewers and caused a major stir in design circles.
So as a record of Bob Dylan’s “Stuck Inside of Mobile” played on repeat, they took their name from the song, devised their marketing strategy and plotted the postmodern look that would come to define the decade of excess — primary colors, blown-up proportions, playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art. A high-low mix of materials also helped define Memphis, as evidenced by Javier Mariscal’s pastel serving trays, which feature laminate veneer — a material previously used only in kitchens — as well as Shiro Kuramata’s Nara and Kyoto tables made from colored glass-infused terrazzo.
An image of Sottsass posing with his collaborators in a conversation pit shaped like a boxing ring appeared in magazines all over the world, and Karl Lagerfield furnished his Monte Carlo penthouse entirely in Memphis furniture. Meanwhile, members like Andrea Branzi, Aldo Cibic, Michele de Lucchi, Nathalie du Pasquier, Kuramata, Paola Navone, Peter Shire, George Sowden, Sottsass and his wife, journalist Barbara Radice, went on to enjoy fruitful careers.
Some people think of the Milan-based collective as the design equivalent to Patrick Nagel’s kitschy screenprints, but for others Memphis represents what made the early 1980s so great: freedom of expression, dizzying patterns and off-the-wall colors.
Eventually, the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990s minimalism, and Memphis fell out of fashion. Sottsass left the group in 1985, and by 1987, it had disbanded. Yet decades later, Memphis is back and can be traced to today’s most exciting designers.
“As someone who was born in the 1980s, Memphis at times feels like the grown-up, artsy version of the toys I used to play with,” says Shaun Kasperbauer, cofounder of the Brooklyn studio Souda. “It feels a little nostalgic, but at the same time it seems like an aesthetic that’s perfectly suited to an internet age — loud, colorful and utilizing forms that are graphic and often a little unexpected.”
Find a collection of vintage Memphis Group seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: La Morra, Italy
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 46 Nami Glass Vase, by Marco Zanini from Memphis MilanoBy Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Marco ZaniniLocated in La Morra, CuneoThe Nami Glass Vase was originally designed by Marco Zanini in 1986 for Memphis. Sculptural vase features a conical base on a glass pedestal, with opal glass plate topped by a green ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
- Baykal Flower Vase, by Marco Zanini for Memphis MilanoBy Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini, Memphis GroupLocated in La Morra, CuneoBaykal Flower Vase was originally designed by Marco Zanini in 1982. Marco Zanini was born in Trento in 1954. He graduated in architecture at the University of Florence and perfects...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Victoria Ceramic Flower Vase, by Marco Zanini from Memphis MilanoBy Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini, Memphis GroupLocated in La Morra, CuneoVictoria Flower vase in ceramic with ceramic flower, was originally designed in 1982 by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano. Marco Zanini was born in Trento in 1954. He graduated in ar...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Tanganyka Flower Vase in Ceramic by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano CollectionBy Memphis Milano, Marco ZaniniLocated in La Morra, CuneoTanganyka flower vase in ceramic by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano collection Additional Information: Flower vase in polychrome ceramic. Collection: Memphis Milano Designer: M...Category
2010s Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Rigel Glass Bowl, by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano CollectionBy Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Marco ZaniniLocated in La Morra, CuneoThe Rigel Glass Bowl was originally designed by Marco Zanini in 1982. The piece features blue, black, green, red and clear glass with lid and ste...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsGlass
- Altair Glass Flower Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano CollectionBy Memphis Milano, Memphis Group, Ettore SottsassLocated in La Morra, CuneoThe Altair Glass Flower Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. Signed on the base, please see below for further information. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. I...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Vases
MaterialsGlass
- VICTORIA Ceramic Flower Vase by Marco Zanini for Memphis MilanoBy Marco ZanniniLocated in Brooklyn, NYVictoria ceramic flower vase by Marco Zannini (Italy.) Rare. Zanini had the notion (correctly, in actuality) that most artistic flower vases almo...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Memphis Group Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- TANGANYKA Ceramic Flower Vase by Marco Zanini for Memphis MilanoBy Marco ZanniniLocated in Brooklyn, NYTanganyika ceramic flower vase by Marco Zannini (Italy). Very rare, perhaps only 10-12 were ever made. Zannini had the notion (correctly, in act...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Memphis Group Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- BAYKAL Ceramic Flower Vase by Marco Zanini for Memphis MilanoBy Marco ZanniniLocated in Brooklyn, NYBaykal ceramic flower vase by Marco Zanini (Italy). Rare. Zanini had the notion (correctly, in actuality) that most artistic flower vases almos...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Memphis Group Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Nilo Vase, Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for the Collection Memphis MilanoBy Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis MilanoLocated in Beirut, LBThe Nilo vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis Milano 1981-1988. Produced by Memphis in 2013-2014. A classic by Sottsass, the Nilo porcelain vase is par...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Vases
MaterialsPorcelain
- Marco Zanini for Memphis - Kita Vase by Toso Vetri d'arte Provo d'autoreBy Marco ZaniniLocated in GRONINGEN, NLMarco Zanini for Memphis, designed in 1986 KITA, A RED CLEAR GLASS VASE Pyramid shaped red vase with white and blue detailing Engraved mark M. Zanini per Memphis by Toso Vetri d'arte...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Vases
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Euphrates Vase, Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis MilanoBy Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis MilanoLocated in Beirut, LBThe Euphrates vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis Milano 1981-1988. A classic by Sottsass, the Euphrates porcelain vase is part of three 'rivers' vase...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Vases
MaterialsPorcelain