German Design 1949-1989: Two Countries, One History at Vitra Design Museum

The Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein presents "German Design 1949-1989. Two Countries, One History," curated by Erika Pinner and Klara Nemeckova in collaboration with the Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen Dresden. The exhibition challenges the long-held view that East German design was inferior to West German, instead presenting a unified narrative of post-war design across both Germanys. It is structured around three chronological sections: 1949-1960 (reconstruction and rising consumer demand), 1961-1972 (the Berlin Wall and Cold War divisions), and 1973-1989 (détente and the fall of the Wall). Key objects include the Garden Egg Chair (1968) by Peter Ghyczy, produced on both sides of the border; Klaus Kunis's colorful plastic watering can (c. 1960); Dieter Rams's "Snow White's Coffin" record player (1958) for Braun; and Rudolf Horn's MDW modular wall system (1968). The exhibition also highlights the role of design in propaganda, the Ulm School of Design (founded 1953 by Max Bill), and the contrasting design systems of East and West. The display by Konstantin Grcic forces visitors to choose which side to explore first. The show runs until September 5, 2021, and is currently only accessible to those already in Germany by appointment.