Postmodernism Revisited: Bold, Brash, and Back Again
I think it's fair to say that postmodernism is the cilantro of the design world - there are those who love it, and those who would sooner welcome a bedbug infestation into their home before taking in a piece of postmodern furniture. As the design world continues to unpack the last quarter of the 20th century, postmodernism is enjoying a moment in the spotlight as a younger generation of collectors moves to the forefront.
Essentially, postmodernism is a colorful and spirited rejection of modernism and Mies van der Rohe’s edict “less is more”. Whereas classic modern design distilled forms down to their functional essence, postmodernism turns this approach on its head and celebrates ornament for its own sake, especially ornament that references historical periods and recontextualizes them. Despite its intellectual underpinnings in art, architecture and literature, postmodern design comes across as playful, cheeky and ironic, every bit the class clown. Rather than following a rigid set of rules and principles, postmodernism defiantly breaks norms, defying easy categorization.
The movement was global but found its highest expression in Italy, the crucible of so many design movements, and was elevated in the noted design collective Memphis Milano, founded by Ettore Sottsass. Other prominent designers within the movement include Martine Bedin, Mihael Graves, Alessandro Mendinin, Mattheo Thun and Marco Zanuso.
To appreciate the breadth of design that the Postmodern movement celebrates, consider three examples featured in our upcoming Modern Design sale on November 20. Gaetano Pesce’s Amazonia vase (estimate $600-900) plays off the polished and idealized beauty of Murano glass and presents us with what looks to be melting blob of plastic with platypus-like feet. Early versions of this vase were hand-built, allowing the resin to flow and expand freely – the disorder and irregularity being precisely the point. And lastly, when one critic described postmodernism as a “shotgun wedding between Bauhaus and Fisher-Price” they may well have been referring to Matine Bedin’s Super Table Lamp ($800-1,200) which takes the form of a toy car, complete with functional wheels. Playful and whimsical, who could resist a traveling lamp?
Like it or not, postmodernism is back. Whatever the reason, it’s bold, brash, and begging for attention.
INQUIRIES: [email protected]
TO BE OFFERED NOVEMBER 20, CHICAGO
Martine Bedin (French, b. 1957) | Super Table Lamp, Memphis $800 - 1,200
TO BE OFFERED NOVEMBER 20, CHICAGO
Gaetano Pesce (Italian, 1939–2014) Amazonia vase $600 – 900