Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What features made Ettore Sottsassâs Carlton room divider an example of postmodern design?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Industrial design
Octagonal electric teakettle of hammered silver, with cane-wicker handle, designed by Peter Behrens for AEG (Allgemeine ElektricitÀts Gesellschaft), Berlin, c. 1909.
Ettore Sottsassâs Carlton room divider (1981) is considered an iconic example of postmodern design primarily because it embodies the aesthetic and philosophical shift away from the rigid principles of Modernism.1
Key features that define its postmodern character include:
- Whimsical Historical References: Unlike the minimalist, functionalist approach of the Modernist era, the Carlton divider incorporates playful, whimsical historical references, which became a hallmark of the Memphis group founded by Sottsass.1
- Rejection of "Form Follows Function": The design challenges the traditional Modernist dictum that "form follows function." Instead, it prioritizes expressive, often outlandish visual impact over purely utilitarian or minimalist concerns.21
- Bold Use of Color: The piece is characterized by its multicoloured appearance, reflecting the postmodern tendency to move away from the restrained, neutral palettes often favored by Modernist designers.1
By embracing individuality and decorative expression, the Carlton room divider serves as a quintessential representation of the postmodern movement's reaction against the universal, minimalist solutions that dominated earlier 20th-century design.21