Memphis Again is the title of a sprawling new exhibition at the Triennale Milano this month that celebrates the Memphis Group’s legacy and impact on the design scape.
But maybe ‘Memphis, Still‘ would be a more accurate title for the event, which brings together 200 design objects and furniture from 1981-1985 – crucial years in the postmodernist movement’s development and its recent resurgence in popularity.
Director Christoph Radl presents a chronological walk-through of this prolific five-year period, with objects staged along a 100-metre-long ‘catwalk’ at the Triennale’s Curva gallery.
Memphis’ impact ricocheted across everything from architecture to television and fashion (see our feature on Karl Lagerfeld’s impressive private collection) so it seems fitting that Radl has conjured the spirit of a nightclub or fashion run-way for the show, using blue neon lighting and music by DJ Seth Troxler and alongside wall projections.
Memphis debuted in Milan at the 1981 Salone del Mobile, so the show is also a homecoming of sorts. Fan-favourites are in the mix, including Ettore Sottsass’ kooky Carlton Bookcase, while luminaries Michele De Lucchi, George Sowden, Martine Bedin, Andrea Branzi, Shiro Kuramata, Marco Zanini, Matteo Thun, Peter Shire, Aldo Cibic, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Gerard Taylor, Masanori Umeda all get their space in the spotlight.
‘Memphis Again’ runs at the Triennale’s Curva gallery until 12 June 2022, presented by Triennale Milano and Memphis Milano. Tickets are €12 and can be booked online.
