Sweet dreams – 80s design and creations at Artcurial

On October 18th, Artcurial a diverse selection of French and international design from the 1980s.

The exhibition includes avant-garde works by renowned artists such as Philippe Starck and Martin Szekely, as well as unique creations from the famous Memphis Group. Discover also lesser-known designs by Xavier Matégot and Gérard Dalmon .

The upcoming auction will feature some remarkable pieces, including the “Tom Double” by Philippe Starck, estimated to be worth between €15,000 and €18,000, which was created before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

In addition, exceptional design pieces such as the four “MB” by Sylvain Dubuisson (estimated price: €5,000 – €8,000) will be auctioned. Works by international artists are also represented, including Alessandro Mendini's “Bandiera” (estimated price: €8,000 – €12,000) and the “Atomeria” (estimated price: €5,300 – €8,000).

“sweet dreams” auction on October 18, 2024 will fully revive the creative spirit of the 1980s.

The democratization of design in the 1980s

The auction at Artcurial on October 18th in Paris presents the innovative design of the 1980s , which ushered in a new era of postmodern creation in the field of design in France and worldwide.

Avant-garde works by various artists are offered, including the designs of Pascal Mourgue for the renowned furniture manufacturer Artelano , as well as the unique coffee tables by Gilles Derain .

This generation of designers was passionately committed to the democratization of design by opposing the functionalism of mass production. A prominent representative of this cultural movement is Philippe Starck , known for his legendary furnishing of the Élysée Palace during François Mitterrand's presidency.

This auction will focus particularly on his designs, including the “Fred Zafsky” , of which only four examples exist and whose value is estimated at €8,000–12,000.

Limited series and rediscovered creators

The VIA (Valorisation de l'innovation dans l'ameublement) was launched in November 1979 to promote French furniture and pave the way for many unique prototypes to go into mass production. It was in this context that the RJC chairs by René Jean Caillette were created, which are now being auctioned (estimated price: €800–1,200).

Also on offer are limited-edition pieces such as seating furniture by Gérard Dalmon and the Totem Group . The collection also includes works by rediscovered French designers, such as the Kestar valet stand by the NEMO Group (estimated price: €2,000–3,000).

In the 1980s, artistic innovation took center stage, with designers exploring cutting-edge materials, including MDF. This material was used, for example, for a shelf from Martin Szekely's Container series (estimated price: €10,000 – €15,000) and for Gérard Dalmon's YM chair (estimated price: €1,800 – €2,500).

Radical design

Martin Szekely and Sylvain Dubuisson present groundbreaking design.

At the “Sweet Dreams” auction on October 18, both the TB coffee table by Martin Szekely (estimated price: €8,000 – €12,000) and the four MB chairs by Sylvain Dubuisson (estimated price: €5,000 – €8,000) will impressively embody the creative innovation of the 1980s.

International artists

The exhibition places a special emphasis on works by international artists. These include Alessandro Mendini & Sinya Okayama , as well as the renowned Italian group Memphis with their unique and colorful creations.

Discover, for example, the “Palm Springs” by the group’s founder and pioneer of radical design, Ettore Sottsass (estimated price: €4,000 – €6,000), as well as vases by the Japanese master Shiro Kuramata .

Works by artists from various fields, such as director Bob Wilson or fashion designer Rei Kawakubo .

More information about the announced auction can be found here: Artcurial

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor, and passionate blogger in the fields of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Graduated with a degree in web design from university (2008). Further developed creative techniques through courses in freehand drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market gained through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with key players and institutions in the arts and culture sector.

www.kunstplaza.de