1980s

Postmodernism also influenced the 1980s in terms of The era defines definition with a mix of styles which was visually thrilling yet at times ruinous. This drastic departure from Modernist view of "less is more" opened up windows into a new world of complexity and contradiction.
Modernism demanded a lack of ornamentation when it came to accessories that the postmodernists avoided. There was more than 'one way of life' for the people and post modernists believe a persons ideas show influences their personal spaces. Thus eclecticism was encouraged and adored.

Carlton

Ettore Sottsass Jr.

Room Divider

Production since 1981 to present

Memphis s.r.l., Pregnana

Milanese, near Milan

195.5 x 190 x 40cm

wood, laminated plastic

http://www.design-museum.de/en/collection/100-masterpieces/detailseiten/carlton-ettore-sottsass-jr.html

"Carlton" symbolizes essential traits of the style which as a consequence of Memphis became known almost overnight as New Design. Mundane and depthless laminated materials are trade-marks of Memphis. Carlton presents many decorative aesthetics of patterns, resulting in the blending of graphic and geometric structures, loud colours and comic strips.

As in the world of telecommunications, the view no longer perceives an object in itself, but rather a medium that catches the eye by virtue of its surface and structure, and which triggers sensory perceptions. As a result, the colours of Carlton are carefully matches and the structure is based on the imaginary form of a rhombus.

http://www.design-museum.de/en/collection/100-masterpieces/detailseiten/carlton-ettore-sottsass-jr.html

Verspanntes Regal 1984

Wolfgang Laubersheimer

Production since 1984

Pentagon, Cologne

250 x 42 x 31; base 31 x 31cm

3mm thick sheet steel, steel cable, tensioner

http://www.design-museum.de/en/collection/100-masterpieces/detailseiten/verspanntes-regal-laubersheimer.html

The New Design of the 80s was not based on industrial mass production, but was often home-grown in that design, manufacture and sale were all carried out by the designer himself. Design was able to concentrate on objects manufactured in varying quantities as opposed to creating a longlife product or a design for serial production.  One of the icons of New Design is the Verspanntes Regal. 

Laubersheimer is a cofounder of Pentagon, a group of designer who joined forces in Cologne in 1985 and set up their own gallery there. Today, the shelf is no longer part of the Pentagon collection as the gallery had to close in 1990.

http://www.design-museum.de/en/collection/100-masterpieces/detailseiten/verspanntes-regal-laubersheimer.html

MN-01 LC1, Lockheed Lounge

Marc Newson

Pod, Australia (Manufacturer)

1988-1990 (Production)

86 x 166 x 57cm

Rivited Sheet Aluminum

The origins of Newson's work are often associated with Sydney (his native city) where the sea is omnipresent with his hobby of surfing.

The Lockheed Lounge is primarily made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. The legs smoothly descend from the natural curves and are covered with rubber, a stylistic principle to be found in many of Newson’s works. The entire surface is covered with thin-walled aluminum sheets attached with blind rivets. These sheets do not overlap but are joined together almost seamlessly, giving the impression of an airplane fuselage.

http://www.design-museum.de/en/collection/100-masterpieces/detailseiten/lockheed-lounge-newson.html