CATALYSTS || Mendini, Sottsass and Graves

I have been researching the Memphis Group further and have found such a range of interesting designers. The Group was active in the 1980s but some of the members are still very active today.

I have been working hard at my research and feel like I have been really formulating an understanding of postmodernism and particularly of the Memphis style. Three designers in particular have resonated with me and begun to inspire my own ideas.

Alessandro Mendini

Mendini was one of the most iconic members of the Memphis group.

What I love most about his work is that he often creates pieces with quite regular silhouettes, but uses irregular colour and pattern to make something altogether more ostentatious and exciting.

This set of drawers shows well a recurring theme of his; a form with very definite shape and line, but patterned adornments that totally reject these lines and spill out wherever they wish. The colours and shapes are vivid but the result is not overpowering and manages to be subtle enough that you could see it working in any space.

Ettore Sottsass

Sottsass founded the Memphis group in 1981. His works are largely very angular and he has a strong use of line and primary colours. Unlike a lot of Memphis pieces, this one - the Carlton Room Divider - is totally symmetrical. It still manages to have a very irregular appearance.

I think this piece would be the focal point of a room. It is very large and colourful, and as the name suggests could be sed to divide a room. It combines function and aesthetic value perfectly. It has a lot of shelf space and also drawers at the bottom. I think organic items such as flowers would create an interesting contrast on these shelves, but it would perhaps be even more pleasing to see more colourful unusal memphis pieces on it.

Michael Graves

Predominantly an architect, Graves is my favourite of all the Memphis Group Members. The image to the left is of the Denver Public Library. I am completely in awe of this building! It almost looks like it can't be real. I love how so many shapes and colours are thrown together. It is a classic example of something you wouldn't expect to work at all, but that turns out to be utterly beautiful and ingenious. All the contrasting forms create something so exciting to look at. Even the tiles in the square in front of it are irregular but totally in keeping with the building itself.