Of late, I have noticed that there has been a real interest in the Post Moderns among Generation Z. Maybe this is completely understandable given that their predecessors, the Millennials, took to Mid-Century Moderns. A chronological progression? Is that how trends reappear?
In the above, you can see how the aesthetic appears in its vibrant colour manifestation. Curved forms are a must have and are largely reinterpreted from the ‘Ultrafragola’ mirror/lamp by Ettore Sottass’ studio in the 1980s.
If you absolutely must have one of these tap the image. €8,400 excluding shipping fyi.
Today, the curving and undulating forms of this aesthetic are most seen in bookcases, shelving units, mirrors, rugs and sofas.
The Memphis Group, a design collective based in Milan in the 1980s, worked on hybrids, juxtapositioning and playfulness. Led by Sottsass, an architect, their first exhibition of their New International Style was during the 1981 Salone del Mobile in Milan. Sottsass described the work like this;
“Memphis tries to separate the object from the idea of functionalism. It is an ironic approach to the Modern notion of philosophical pureness. In other words, a table may need four legs to function but no one can tell me that the four legs have to look the same.”
Also at this time, Robert Venturi, an American architect, was revolting against Modernism’s purity too.
“Architects can no longer afford to be intimidated by the puritanically moral language of orthodox Modern architecture. I like elements which are hybrid rather than pure, compromising rather than clean, distorted rather than straightforward, ambiguous rather than articulated, perverse as well as impersonal, boring as well as interesting, conventional rather than designed, accommodating rather than excluding, redundant rather than simple, vestigial as well as innovating, inconsistent and equivocal rather than direct and clear. I am for messy vitality over obvious unity. I include the non sequitur and proclaim the duality.”
I see that there is an embracing of messy vitality and ambiguity of line here now too, in 2022. Note, you can also wear this aesthetic.
A graphic pattern is key here too. I think it comes directly inspired from the Kristal table by Memphis Group. What do you think?
Some contemporary designers using this aesthetic; Paid members look out for a special Avant Basic, Etsy curated, shopping list coming your way!
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Have a lovely day!
the Avant Basic aesthetic