Memphis Group Research

Memphis Group Research

Memphis group work is typically pastel and punchy colours in furniture design. The furniture is typically made with wood and plastic laminate, it uses unusual shapes and colours, quite graphic, angular and abstract. All Memphis group pieces have the colours in common and the fact that they are breaking away from the idea of furniture and functionality.It is clearly grouped together because of the similarities between the pieces and that they are by the same group of people and ideas. I would describe Memphis pieces as abstract and bold, to make a statement. The Memphis group originates from Italy and is a Milan-based movement. It was created to break away from the norm and create a decorative look to furniture, rather than to be used for the function only. The pieces consist of graphic shapes, bold pastel like colours and aren’t as functional as common furniture, but this is a key feature in this movement as it tends to be more decorative instead. The artists where mostly inspired by Art Deco, 1950s Kitsch and Pop Art. The main artist in this movement was Ettore Sottsass, one of Italy’s architectural grandees, who formed the group by meeting with the rest of the artists, all younger than him, in their 20s at the time. These were Martine Bedin, Aldo Cibic, Michele De Lucchi, Matteo Thun and Marco Zanini. All these artists are from Italy at the time.

The Memphis groups pieces were made in the 80s, from 1981 – 1987. As these artists are working, around them society is changing and music is become more diverse and different, this opens up opportunities for them to change the way furniture is seen too a more decorative and modern object.