Ettore Sottsass, Small upstand, 1959 (1985)

The eighties are interested in exploring new directions of research for architecture and design. The Memphis group was founded in 1981 with this objective thanks to the charismatic figure of Ettore Sottsass, the first of the countermasters who, since the 1950s, has undertaken the progressive overturning of the codes of rationalism. Memphis is configured as a commercial phenomenon, thanks to the financial, design and production support of Ernesto Gismondi of Artemide, who activated collaborations with artisans operating in the various Italian manufacturing districts.