History of the Memphis Movement

The start of the Memphis movement began in the 1980s in Italy. The movement was started to use modernism in design tech, and using different shapes to create unique and interesting furniture.

The Memphis movement was started by a number of famous Italian designers and architects. One of the leading members of the group was Ettore Sottsass, he created and designed some of the famous furniture such as the Carlton bookshelf and Max. They first started the group when they were in a meeting; a song was playing called ‘Stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis blues again’. The group decided that they would go along with the name ‘Memphis’.

The Memphis movement produced a different feel towards minimalism, with bright colors and various shapes as a guide. However when they were designing furniture they did not have a specific guideline to how they should design it or build it. The only rule towards designing was to make it fun and interesting.

MaterialsFor my project, I intend to use either European redwood or MDF.European redwood is a type of softwood that is easy to cut and also strong at the same time, and I think that using this material will be suitable for making a CD rack. I will be able to cut the wood out easily and it will also be strong yet light at the same time. It is also cheap and very suitable for cupboards and keeping things.

The other material that would be suitable for making my project is MDF, it is a manufactured board/man-made wood and it also strong. The suitability of the material is excellent, it has a smooth and even surface to it. Having a smooth surface for this particular project makes it an ideal material, as I wouldn’t want bits of splinters to be on my CDs and when I take it out. Also, it’ll be safer for everyone who touches it. MDF board has also water and fire resistant forms that means that if I accidentally spilled water on the CD rack it’ll still be okay.

Construction JointsThe project I will be making will have 2 different shapes, both shapes will be a rectangle but a different size. I intend to have 1 that has a taller height and one with a longer length. The design on the sides will be a ‘poker style’ CD rack.

Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, Martine Bedin, Andrea Branzi, Aldo Cibic, Michele de Lucchi, Nathalie du Pasquier, Michael Graves, Hans Hollein, Arata Isozaki, Shiro Kuromata, Matteo Thun, Javier Mariscal, George Sowden, Marco Zanini, and the journalist Barbara Radice.

European Redwood (top), strong softwood and used for general woodwork and cupboards.

I will use the butt joints for creating the rectangle shaped slots. They are the easiest to make, however I don’t know if a 20mm piece of wood is big enough for a butt joint. This will help me glue 2 opposite sides together and create a 90 degree angle. (On the right).I can create a butt joint by gluing 2 pieces of wood together or screwing them together. I will also use a miter clamp to hold them together until the glue dries.

Source: http://www.ripsdiy.co.za/woodjoins.shtmlhttp://www.ehow.com/list_6509645_types-furniture-joints.htmlhttp://www.wooden-box-maker.com/images/rabbit-butt-joint.jpghttp://mr-dt.com/materials/manufacturedboards.htmhttp://www.lathamtimber.co.uk/images/softwood%20images/Euro_Redwood_500.gif