On February 18, the Italian Cultural Institute of Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Design Institute, the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (HKDI) and the Novalis Art Design Gallery, is organizing a webinar with George Sowden and Martine Bedin, founding members of Gruppo Memphis, a historic Italian design movement founded by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 along with Michele de Lucchi, Aldo Cibic, Matteo Thun, Marco Zanini and Nathalie Du Pasquier.
Active between 1981 and 1988, the Memphis Group defined ‘80s aesthetic and revolutionised the design world. Memphis sought to rebel against the principle ‘form follows function’ that reigned supreme at that time. With Memphis, design could be loud, colourful, whimsical, with clashing patterns. Objects are no longer tools, but acquire an intrinsic aesthetic value, mixing elegance and kitsch, giving space to irregular shapes and using innovative plastic materials. Most of all, Memphis emphasized the expressive possibilities of design as a vehicle of communication.
During the webinar, moderated by Charmaine Tom, George Sowden and Martine Bedin will speak about their Memphis memories. They will give us a glimpse behind the scenes of what it was like to be part of the Memphis Group, and a taste of the Memphis spirit.
For more information, go to iichongkong.esteri.it
