Friso Kramer Shelves
Dutch, 1922-2019
Through both his bold furniture designs and his teaching and administrative positions within the architecture and design industries, the solution-oriented Friso Kramer helped elevate industrial design to a venerated place in the modernist canon.
While the mid-century years saw no shortage of function-minded modernists, Kramer may have been the most extreme of them. “If form does not contribute to the function, it has no right to exist,” the Dutch designer once said. Born in Amsterdam in 1922 to the pioneering architect Piet Kramer, Friso studied architecture, industrial design, electrical engineering and interior design. He cut his teeth in the studios of architect Jan Piet Kloos and interior designer Frans Paulussen, then, in 1948, went to work as a designer at the steel furniture manufacturer De Cirkel (part of the Ahrend group), where he would design some of his best-known work.
The 1953 Revolt chair, which is among his most celebrated seating and a darling of Dutch mid-century modernism, embodied Kramer’s function-first design; its skeletal, industrial form provides for maximum comfort and ergonomic support with minimal material. He joined forces with Wim Rietveld, son of celebrated Dutch modernist Gerrit Rietveld, for the 1958 Result chair, which married elements of the Revolt with forms from Rietveld’s Pyramid series. Kramer found numerous ways to riff on and perfect his brand of minimalism: The 1960 Resort and Repose armchairs demonstrate how he slightly tweaked the skeletal frames for different postures and uses.
In 1963, Kramer left Ahrend to found Total Design Studio with Wim Crouwel, Benno Wissing and Paul and Dick Schwartz. The firm grouped graphic, industrial and spatial design under one roof with the shared belief in functionalism. Though Total Design Studio is still in business today, Kramer left the company to return to Ahrend in 1971, serving as art director until 1983. Following Kramer’s death in 2019, Ahrend teamed up with Danish design brand HAY to relaunch the Result and Revolt chairs.
Find vintage Friso Kramer chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Friso Kramer
Friso Kramer "Stabilux" Two Section Industrial Shelves or Room Divider
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century "Stabilux", eggplant and granny apple green, enameled metal two section industrial bookshelf by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. A stunning color combination and a vers...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Industrial Friso Kramer Shelves
Materials
Metal
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Video on Friso Kramer: http://youtu.be/8tkxlCEfTjE
History:
After a very successful exhibition in Paris Artbrokerdesign decided to launch the works of Friso Kramer to the 1stdibs audience.
Artbrokerdesign was the first gallery in The Netherlands that promoted the great and functional work of Dutch iconic industrial designer Friso Kramer (90)
In the winter 2006-2007 issue of Modernist Magazine the article ''The boundless perfection of Friso Kramer'' appeared in close cooperation with Artbrokerdesign Gallery.
Over the years a close friendship between the owner of Artbrokerdesign (Joop Schot) and the Kramer family was established.
in 2009 Artbrokerdesign started a collaboration with young and dynamic Belgian entrepreneur (Thomas van Lierde) to organize numerous small exhibitions in Paris, Zurich and Ghent on the works of Friso Kramer and also Wim Rietveld, a perfect blend of Dutch design history was presented in Europe.
2012 was the year that Friso Kramer turned 90 years old.
In november 2012 the Premsela foundation presented the book ''Friso Kramer's chair'' written by Yvonne Brentjens and published by Nai010 at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam.
In January 2013 Artbrokerdesign curated an exhibition at Galerie Catherine Houard in Saint Germain, Paris.
This exhibition had extensive press coverage by the French press.
www.mylitteparis.com, march 2013
www.parisart.com, 22nd february 2013 (Anne Bony)
Maison à part, 22nd february 2013
A nous Paris, 18th february 2013
www.lecourrierdelarchitecte.com, 13th february 2013
La Gazette de Drouot, 8th february 2013
www.lemondain.com, february 2013
www.blogs.lesinrocks.com, february 2013
Le Quotidien de l'Art, 31st january 2013
Libération, 29th january 2013
www.luxe-magazine.com, january 2013
Agenda Germain Info, 22nd january 2013
www.sleekdesign.fr, 18th january 2013
Ouest France, 18th january 2013
www.internationalluxuryconsulting.blogspot.fr, 17th january 2013
L'Officiel des Spectacles, 16th january 2013
www.rtbf.be, 15th january 2013
www.lagoradesarts.fr, 15th january 2013
www.rtbf.be, 15th january 2013
www.pourelles.lejsl.com, 16th january 2013
Relaxnews, 15th january 2013
www.lelieududesign.com, 14th january 2013
www.1stdibs.com, january 2013
www.art-culture-france.com, january 2013
www.boursorama.com, 27th december 2012
www.pourelles.bienpublic.com, 26th december 2012
Literature:
- ''Friso Kramer industrieel ontwerper'' by Bullhorst & Eggink for 010 Rotterdam. page 78
Description:
In the same year (1953) as the Revolt chair was launched Friso Kramer was asked by Martin Visser (Dutch designer 1922-2009) who was at that time head of the furniture section of the renown Dutch department store ''De Bijenkorf'' to make a simple and low cost metal shelving system...
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1950s Dutch Industrial Vintage Friso Kramer Shelves
H 77.17 in W 37.41 in D 10.24 in
Friso Kramer "Stabilux" Industrial Sheet Metal Bookshelf
By Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 3 Section Bookshelf newly powder coated Army Green Sheet Metal with Multi-color Shelves. Excellent Condtion.
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1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Friso Kramer Shelves
Friso Kramer shelves for sale on 1stDibs.
Friso Kramer shelves are available for sale on 1stDibs.