PHOTO COURTESY: WWW.MEMPHIS-MILANO.ORG
The Memphis Group was born in December 1980, when, at a gathering of designers, a Bob Dylan record—Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again—looped at the right moment. After that first meeting, the group decided that they would meet again in February 1981. Members brought over one hundred drawings, outlining designs that were inspired by Art Deco and Pop Art to create bold, colorful designs. The group's debut collection launched later that year, characterized by outsized and weirdly shaped tables and chairs, and colourful pots and lights. Memphis went on to have profound impact on the design and architectural world—well beyond its dismantling in 1987, and one that continues to this day, revived by manufacturers like Kartell. Interestingly, its group leader, architect Ettore Sottsass, was heavily influenced by his visits to India in general, and Tamil Nadu in particular. Here are a selection of Memphis designs borne from Indian inspiration.
