The Memphis design movement questioned the conventional design methodologies used in furniture, architecture, clothing, and household items. Initiated by an Italian design group headed by designer Ettore Sottsass in the 1980s, it gained a lot of interest for its use of bold colors, unconventional materials, and geometric shapes. The highlighting theme was radical, funny and outrageous.
While the Carlton bookcase designed by Ettore himself was the standout piece from this decade-long movement, it still influences product design. Memphis saw a resurgence in 2005, gaining momentum after the demise of Ettore Sottsass. The influence followed in 2011 when opulent brands like Dior and Missoni appreciated Memphis with a special collection. This was later followed by collaborations by Nathalie Du Pasquier with American Apparel in 2014, Supreme’s Memphis-inspired designs in 2016, and West Elm’s collection in 2017. The movement lives strong even now with brands like Alessi, Moooi, and Kartell adopting a playful and unconventional approach to their design.
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In fact, the movement has been revived in the digital age as Neo-Memphis, and this concept is a refreshing example. Vinyl records have made a strong comeback in the last few years owing to many reasons including the audiophile-grade sound quality, appreciation for physical media, and of course the classy appeal it lends to any interior space. Most of the turntables that play these records stick to a very safe conventional design, focusing more on the function. This Memphis-inspired turntable is radically different, just like the unperturbed movement that brought a pop of color to the otherwise boring design spheres.
Dubbed Brick, the turntable is a class apart both in design and audio quality. It has a very sharp aesthetic with geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and playful patterns. The audio equipment brings the energy of the nostalgic 80s to the modern era with a form that’s hard to ignore. Any vinyl record you play with the Brick is guaranteed to deliver high-fidelity sound while being wrapped in an artful and retro-futuristic vibe. Spinning your favorite records on this turntable is going to be an elevating experience as nostalgia meets innovation.
It has a geometric form that’s cone-shaped, seemingly suspended in the rectangular body giving the illusion of floating in mid-air. When the vinyl is placed on the platter it seems to be floating which creates a completely new perception. To top it off, the downward taper elevates the design compactness which goes very well with modern design ethos. The concept also doesn’t miss out on modularity as the user can opt for additions like a record sleeve holder or dust cover. Staying true to the function – that is audio quality – the has a timeless contemporary appeal even though it is influenced heavily by the Memphis art movement.
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