If you’re searching for a summer trip destination, we highly encourage you to visit Memphis, Tennessee. We’re calling it Memphis in Memphis. Why? Because until July 13th, Memphis’ Dixon Gallery and Gardens is hosting an exhibition titled Memphis-Milano: 1980s Italian Design. Featuring the extensive collection of photographer Dennis Zanone, this exhibit includes the work of designers like Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini and Nathalie du Pasquier.
If you missed the Memphis Group the first time around and you haven’t been swept up in the recent Memphis revival through current fashion, product and graphic design, note that this innovative group of architects and designers produced an array of unconventional pieces known for their striking colors, forms and materials. This is ’80s design at its finest and most unique. Today we present a sneak peek at the exhibition, thanks to the photography of Dennis Zanone.
If you are lucky enough to view this exhibition in person, you will be treated to a beautifully curated display of 150 unforgettable pieces, including furnishings such as chairs, bookshelves and desks…
…not to mention, accent pieces such as ceramics and lamps. Below we see the Sottsass Treetops floor lamp, along with Branzi’s “Gritti” bookshelf:
A bold shade of sky blue adorns the walls of the gallery for this exhibit–the perfect backdrop for this radiant collection featuring candy colors, stripes and geo forms.
If you make it to Memphis by mid-July, you can also view iconic pieces such as Ettore Sottsass’ Max shelf (shown below). Not to mention, there’s a children’s interactive discovery room that makes the exhibit even more child-friendly.
We can’t end this post without mentioning the fact that in May, there was a flower show at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, inspired by the works of Memphis designers. The arrangements were displayed in the museum alongside the furnishings and decor of the exhibit. See more amazing photos like the one below here.
Above all, this exhibition of works designed between 1981 and 1988 invites you to immerse yourself in an unusual blend of colors and forms, the freedom that sparks truly innovative design, and the whimsy of postmodernism.
Memphis-Milano: 1980s Italian Design runs through July 13th at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. See more photos of the exhibition here, and find out more about Memphis design by visiting Dennis Zanone’s comprehensive Memphis-Milano site, which includes an array of beautiful photos. You can also follow Memphis-Milano Italian Postmodern Design on Facebook and Tumblr.
A special thank to Dennis Zanone for making today’s post possible!
Hi, i’m a student at USC and currently doing the summer program. Our assignment is to gather as much information as we can on art piece of our choice. My choice was the Max Shelf by Sottsass. One of our tasks is to draw the item and deconstruct it. I was wondering if there are any available assembly drawings? shop drawings? any technical drawings on the piece, maybe manufacture drawings showing plans, sections and elevations that are available that I might be able to get a hold of? If so, where can I get this info? Any help would be much appreciated.
Regards
Thomas Gin
I love the 80’s design; it’s very colourful and completely unique.