A current exhibition titled Design in Italy (
As an exhibition to demonstrate what distinguishes contemporary Italian designers and manufacturers, it is an impressive collection of work, especially for fans of retro fashions.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TFAM
However, as an exploration of why and how Italian designers experimented with and researched designs using different technology and materials, the 100 displayed objects do not quite suffice. The exhibition provides more of a general impression of Italian design, rather than a comprehensive introduction.
Design in Italy features the selections of the Triennale di Milano, which exhibits more than 1,000 pieces of contemporary Italian design works. Under curator Silvana Annicchiarico, "Design in Italy" has been touring Asia since 1997, intending to give a concise picture of Italy as one of the foremost centers of furniture design and industrial design.
The objects are arranged in chronological order, subdivided into five major sections corresponding to analogous macro phases of Italian contemporary history: the post-war and reconstruction (1945 to 1960); the economic boom (1960 to 1970); the years of social unrest (1970 to 1980); the alphabets of communication (1980 to 1990); and finally the difficult search for new identity (1990 to 2000).
The displays in Design in Italy are proof that in the post-modern era retro is hip. The vintage classics from the 1950s to the 1970s are visibly more elegant than recent inventions or designs.
One of the most classic Italian designs is the Vespa scooter. Now, after 50 years in production, the Vespa still occupies a significant section of the scooter market and remains a fashion item as much as a transportation tool. Displayed along with the light green Vespa is a Lambretta scooter, also designed in 1946.
Another eye-catching object is Joe, a leather couch in the shape of a giant baseball glove that is apparently a pean to American pop culture and a tribute to baseball star Joe DiMaggio. The amusement in this piece comes from its disproportionate dimensions and its carefree, anti-tradition spirit, which harkens back to the culture of the 1960s.
Arabesco is a wooden table designed by Carlo Mollino in 1949. Its curved and bent elm wood board reminds one of Savaldor Dali's paintings. The stainless nails connecting the wood and the glass tabletop balance the soft tone of the wood and add an industrial element to the design.
Thanks to Andy Warhol, pop art held a huge influence over Italian design in the 1960s and the GA45 POP, designed in 1969, is proof. The green and orange portable record player functions by inserting a 7-inch record in the mouth of the player and has an integrated speaker. It's like the iPod of the 1960s.
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