Collab’s Top Aquisitions
After 50 years of acquiring design objects, Collab has much to be proud of. Here, the top 5.
Living Center – Joe Colombo
A rare opportunity to see Colombo’s complete Living Center and to appreciate his unique ability to create aesthetically successful multi-functional environments. It fully expresses the “sixties style” and why his name became synonymous with it.
Radio Nurse – Isamu Noguchi
This baby monitor is the best example of Noguchi’s industrial designs for domestic use. While it’s an important example of American “machine age” design, it also expresses the value of cross-cultural influences, as it’s shape suggests traditional Japanese Kendo masks.
“Tibattant” Secretary - Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
A classic design from the master of French Art Deco that perfectly exemplifies the roots of much Art Deco in 18th century designs. Taking the traditional “bonheur-du-jour” as his inspiration, Ruhlmann streamlined the form and eschewed decorative elements (other than the very elegant ivory inlay), allowing the wood grain and shape of the desk to make his modernist statement.
Ginza Robot Cabinet – Masanori Umeda
Umeda was one of three Japanese designers invited to design for Memphis. This cabinet is an excellent example of the humor, symbol, color, ornamented surfaces, and irregular shapes for which Memphis became known. He chose to incorporate references to Japanese popular culture, and, most importantly, he shows that design can be playful and fun.
Zig Zag Chair – Gerrit Rietveld
Drawn from his interest in cantilevering and experimentation with the idea of a one-piece chairs, this is an extremely important design in terms of its influence on others. The very complex construction uses four main elements, and he employs color to emphasize the different planes, continuing to express his “De Stijl” roots in furniture.
