Pattern & Design: A New Book Traces the History of Decoration in Design
A new book, 'Pattern & Design,' edited by Anna Mainoli and Alessandra Coppa and published by 24 Ore Cultura, explores the history of pattern in design, challenging Adolf Loos's 1908 condemnation of ornament. The volume examines how decoration has persisted and evolved from Bauhaus weavers like Gunta Stölzl and Anni Albers to Memphis and Gio Ponti's tiles for the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Sorrento. The authors argue that pattern reflects societal structures and that today ornament and structure coexist dialectically. The book also highlights the overlooked contributions of female designers such as Otti Berger, Marion Dorn, Marianne Straub, and Enid Marx, who shaped public spaces like the London Underground.
Key facts
- Book 'Pattern & Design' edited by Anna Mainoli and Alessandra Coppa, published by 24 Ore Cultura.
- References Adolf Loos's 1908 essay 'Ornament and Crime'.
- Covers Bauhaus weavers Gunta Stölzl and Anni Albers, Memphis, and Gio Ponti's tiles for Hotel Parco dei Principi, Sorrento.
- Argues pattern reflects societal structures and ornament now coexists with structure.
- Highlights female designers: Otti Berger, Marion Dorn, Marianne Straub, Enid Marx.
- Otti Berger's Zebra fabric used on Alvar Aalto's Model 400 chairs for Artek.
- Marion Dorn, Marianne Straub, and Enid Marx designed patterns for London Underground seats.
- Women often started in textile production, considered 'minor,' but later achieved industrial scale and patents.
Entities
Artists
- Anna Mainoli
- Alessandra Coppa
- Adolf Loos
- Gunta Stölzl
- Anni Albers
- Gio Ponti
- Marcel Wanders
- Paolo Ulian
- Nathalie Du Pasquier
- Paola Navone
- Otti Berger
- Alvar Aalto
- Marion Dorn
- Marianne Straub
- Enid Marx
Institutions
- 24 Ore Cultura
- Bauhaus
- Memphis
- Artek
- London Underground
Locations
- Vienna
- Austria
- Sorrento
- Italy
- Auschwitz
- Finland
- London
- United Kingdom