Hasta La Ideas

Six limited-edition vases were created by Milan designers Studiopepe for a window installation in central London based on the work of postmodern designer Ettore Sottass (+ slideshow).

Designed for Italian design brand Spotti Edizioni, the Kora Vases by Studiopepe were exhibited as part of the So Sottsass exhibition at design store Darkroom London for the London Design Festival 2013.

The vases with asymmetric handles were specially customised in a range of hand-painted graphic patterns and bright monotone colours.

So Sottsass featured a number of works by contemporary designers that referenced forms and patterns used in Ettore Sottsass’ work during the mid twentieth century.

Darkroom is a design accessories shop curated by Rhonda Drakeford and Lulu Roper-Caldbeck.

Here is more information from Darkroom:

This is Sottsass with a twist, so expect a sculptural array of hand-painted laminate-style patterns, colour palettes that clash cute with crazy, and juxtaposed materials that push the boundaries between furniture and fashion, plus jewellery that double as objets d’art, and textiles, cushions, stationery and bags.

Visionary and contrary, throughout his life Sottsass worked across many disciplines, and his influence can be found everywhere from high fashion to office furniture in the second half of the 20th century.

From the iconic Valentine typewriter for Olivetti, to the subversively kitschy furniture of the Memphis group, Sottsass enlivened the functionality of ordinary objects, while pushing the boundaries of current tastes and creating new paradigms for future design.

For our So Sottsass season, Darkroom will be drawing on the designer’s bright and playful palette from his time with the legendary Memphis Group, and we’ll also be finding inspiration from the rough-edged modernism of his early ceramics.

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for Spotti Edizioni appeared first on Dezeen.

Contemporary auctions for design objects have been fetching prices that rival great artworks. These pieces are typically sitting on the same auction block. Where can one draw the line between a utilitarian design object and an artistic expression? Probably in the production quantity. Limited edition pieces by sought-after designers have the singularity of fine art, although the purpose of limited edition design objects can typically be attributed to bumping up a price tag.

There’s a good synopsis of five design-as-art movements at ARTINFO. They touch upon The Wiener Werkstätte, The Bauhaus, American Studio, Memphis, and Functional Art.

Some representative pieces: