Collection Selection Box
Get up close to original postmodern design material in our collection with our Collection Selection Boxes
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Postmodernism
From about 1970 to 1990, Postmodernism shattered established ideas about design and art. A brilliant mix of theatrical and theoretical, Postmodernism ranges from the colourful to the ruinous, the luxurious to the ludicrous. It is a visually thrilling multifaceted style which so famously defies definition.
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Whether surfaces were glossy, faked or deliberately distressed, the Postmodern object reflected the desire to combine subversive statements with commercial appeal. Our collection includes examples by Italian designers – especially the groups Studio Alchymia and Memphis.
Collection highlights
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Poltrona di Proust, armchair, designed by Alessandro Mendini/Studio Alchymia, 1978, Milan, Italy -
So Long Frank Lloyd Wright Bowl, bowl, by Mark Lindquist, 1994, Florida, US -
Cabinet de Curiosité, cabinet, designed by Shiro Kuramata, manufactured by Ishimaru Co., Ltd., 1988, Tokyo, Japan -
Isotta, bowl, designed by Bořek Šípek, made for Driade SpA, 1987, Czech Republic -
Concrete Stereo, stereo system, designed by Ron Arad, 1983, London, England -
The Mickey Mouse Gourmet Collection, kettle, designed by Michael Graves, made by Möller Associates, 1991, China -
Westside Lounge, armchair, designed by Ettore Jr Sottsass, manufactured by Knoll Studio, 1983, Italy -
Super lamp prototype, designed by Martine Bedin, made by Fausto Celati, about 1977 – 81, Milan, Italy -
Poster advertising the music group Kraftwerk at Musikhalle, Hamburg, 20th century -
Poster, by Hans-Jürgen Burkhard, commissioned by Oliviero Toscani, 1992 -
Design for the the AT&T Building, by Philip Johnson, Raj Ahuja and John Burgee, 1978, US -
Memphis cocktail glass, by Richard Holloway, 20th century -
Casablanca, sideboard, designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr, manufactured by Memphis, 1981, Milan, Italy -
Design drawing for a melon scoop, designed by Pino Spagnolo, 1991, Italy -
Bel Air, chair, designed by Peter Shire, produced by Memphis, 1982, Los Angeles, US -
Little Heavy, chair, designed by Ron Arad, made by by One Off Ltd, 1989, London, England
Features
Background image: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London