The culture of plastics
By: edited by Elisa Storace and Hans Werner Holzwarth ; with texts by Silvana Annicchiarico, Gillo Dorfles, Chantal Hamaide, Marie-Laure Jousset, R. Craig Miller, Giovanni Odoni, Franca Sozzani, Deyan Sudjic ; and interviews with Claudio Luti by Giulia Crivelli and Giovanni Odoni
Contributors: Kartell (Firm)
Published: 2012
Language: eng
Number of pages: 399
ISBN-13: 9783836530859
Subjects: Plastics as art material; Kartell (Firm); Plastics; Design; Furniture design; History; Industrial design; Plastic furniture
Other titles: Kartell
Description: Plastic culture. The enduring lure of a material for over 60 years. Italian company Kartell, founded in 1949, is famous around the world for having invented the culture of plastic furniture and interior furnishings. Particularly since the plastic-loving era of the 1960s and 70s, Kartell has become an enduring household name; from the iconic designs of Joe Columbo in the 1960s to more recent hits such as Philippe Starck's "Ghost Chairs" or Ron Arad's "Book Worms" shelves, Kartell has consistently chosen to work with the world's most talented designers while reinventing plastic as a quality material for the new age. This survey covers the entire history of the company decade by decade, exploring all aspects of its evolution as well as the social and technological qualities of Kartell products. Also included are interviews with "Mr Plastic" Claudio Luti, director of Kartell for more than 20 years and architect of the new boom, historians, and, star designers, as well as those involved in the production process, illuminating every step from the idea to the finished product.
Notes: Translated from the Italian.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Text in English, German, and French.
Table of contents: title: The culture of plastics : introduction / Silvana Annicchiarico; title: I love Kartell / Franca Sozzani; title: A better work / Giulia Crivelli, Claudio Luti; title: The 1950s / Gillo Dorfles; title: The 1960s / Deyan Sudjic; title: The 1970s / Chantal Hamaide; title: The 1980s / R. Craig Miller; title: The 1990s / Marie-Laure Jousset; title: The 2000s / Giovanni Odoni; title: The real value is in the project / Giovanni Odoni, Claudio Luti.