Fiction and Facts

The Museum of Decorative Arts & Design in Bordeaux is currently hosting solo exhibitions for two important protagonists of postmodern design. Alongside the first ever retrospective of Andrea Branzi's work (which closes later this month), the museum recently launched a show dedicated to Martine Bedin, a founding member of the Memphis Group, perhaps most famous for her iconic Super Lamp.

“Super” by Martine Bedin, 1981.
© Lucien Schweitzer et Editions
Courtesy Memphis, Milano
www.memphis-milano.com

The objects shown in the exhibition L'objet déluré (Sassy Object) are the result of Bedin's return to a number of her designs from the '80s and '90s, that previously had only existed as drawings. By deciding to produce these works as actual objects now, she plays with the relationship of design and its temporality as well as conception vs. materialization.

Escalier graal, 2014. © Fondation Speerstra, photo by Annik Wetter

Homme appuyé, 2014. © Fondation Speerstra, photo by Annik Wetter

Lampes de poche, 2014.© Fondation Speerstra, photo by Annik Wetter

We are enchanted by the appearance of these objects, through which Bedin once again demonstrates her sense for material, color, and shape—combined, of course, with a good deal of humor.

Sécretaire fantôme, 2014. © Fondation Speerstra, photo by Annik Wetter

The pieces were first shown at the Foundation Speerstra in Apples (Switzerland). The Bordeaux exhibition runs until February 15th.