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Post-Modern Photography

POSTMODERN STYLE

Postmodern design was a short-lived movement that manifested itself chiefly in Italy and the United States in the early 1980s. The characteristics of vintage postmodern furniture and other postmodern objects and decor for the home included loud-patterned, usually plastic surfaces; strange proportions, vibrant colors and weird angles; and a vague-at-best relationship between form and function.

ORIGINS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

  • Emerges during the 1960s; popularity explodes during the ’80s
  • A reaction to prevailing conventions of modernism by mainly American architects
  • Architect Robert Venturi critiques modern architecture in his Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (1966)
  • Theorist Charles Jencks, who championed architecture filled with allusions and cultural references, writes The Language of Post-Modern Architecture (1977)
  • Italian design collective the Memphis Group, also known as Memphis Milano, meets for the first time (1980) 
  • Memphis collective debuts more than 50 objects and furnishings at Salone del Milano (1981)
  • Interest in style declines, minimalism gains steam

CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

  • Dizzying graphic patterns and an emphasis on loud, off-the-wall colors
  • Use of plastic and laminates, glass, metal and marble; lacquered and painted wood 
  • Unconventional proportions and abundant ornamentation
  • Playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art

POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

VINTAGE POSTMODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

Critics derided postmodern design as a grandstanding bid for attention and nothing of consequence. Decades later, the fact that postmodernism still has the power to provoke thoughts, along with other reactions, proves they were not entirely correct.

Postmodern design began as an architectural critique. Starting in the 1960s, a small cadre of mainly American architects began to argue that modernism, once high-minded and even noble in its goals, had become stale, stagnant and blandly corporate. Later, in Milan, a cohort of creators led by Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendinia onetime mentor to Sottsass and a key figure in the Italian Radical movement — brought the discussion to bear on design.

Sottsass, an industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, gathered a core group of young designers into a collective in 1980 they called Memphis. Members of the Memphis Group,  which would come to include Martine Bedin, Michael Graves, Marco Zanini, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi and Matteo Thun, saw design as a means of communication, and they wanted it to shout. That it did: The first Memphis collection appeared in 1981 in Milan and broke all the modernist taboos, embracing irony, kitsch, wild ornamentation and bad taste.

Memphis works remain icons of postmodernism: the Sottsass Casablanca bookcase, with its leopard-print plastic veneer; de Lucchi’s First chair, which has been described as having the look of an electronics component; Martine Bedin’s Super lamp: a pull-toy puppy on a power-cord leash. Even though it preceded the Memphis Group’s formal launch, Sottsass’s iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell with radical pops of pink neon — proves striking in any space and embodies many of the collective’s postmodern ideals. 

After the initial Memphis show caused an uproar, the postmodern movement within furniture and interior design quickly took off in America. (Memphis fell out of fashion when the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990’s minimalism.) The architect Robert Venturi had by then already begun a series of plywood chairs for Knoll Inc., with beefy, exaggerated silhouettes of traditional styles such as Queen Anne and Chippendale. In 1982, the new firm Swid Powell enlisted a group of top American architects, including Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Stanley Tigerman and Venturi to create postmodern tableware in silver, ceramic and glass.

On 1stDibs, the vintage postmodern furniture collection includes chairs, coffee tables, sofas, decorative objects, table lamps and more.

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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Post-Modern
Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper Dimensions (eac...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, Circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, Circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, Circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, Circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Martin Zeller Potsdamer Platz Berlin Photography 1995
Located in Munich, DE
The project includes 51 images. The original works were printed on Ilfochrome. Verso on the backing board signed, inscribed and dated. (19)94 and 95 respectively. Ilfochrome Photo 48...
Category

1990s German Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Glass, Beech

Martin Zeller Behrens Strasse Berlin Photografie 1995
Located in Munich, DE
The project includes 51 images. The original works were printed on Ilfochrome. Verso on the backing board signed, inscribed and dated. (19)94 and 95 respectively. Ilfochrome Photo 48...
Category

1990s German Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Glass, Beech

Martin Zeller Komandanten Strasse Berlin Photografie 1994
Located in Munich, DE
The project includes 51 images. The original works were printed on Ilfochrome. Verso on the backing board signed, inscribed and dated. 1994-1997respectively. Ilfochrome Photo 48 x 60...
Category

1990s German Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Glass, Beech

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. Hand signed. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photogr...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper Dimensions (eac...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper. Dimensions: D...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper Dimensions (eac...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Artistic Photograph of a Tattooed Man, circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Add a striking and captivating work of art to your collection with this stunning artistic photograph by Miquel Arnal. Featuring a portrait of a tattooed man, this analog photograph i...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper Dimensions (eac...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Four Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper Dimensions (eac...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper Dimensions (eac...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper Dimensions (eac...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Archival Print 'Golfer in Tree' by Rodney Smith
By Rodney Smith
Located in London, GB
Archival Print ‘Golfer in Tree Edition 5/25 Pebble Beach, C.A., U.S.A. 1998 Rodney Smith was a prominent photographer whose whimsical work invited comparison to that of surreali...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Poster Gianni Versace Metropolitan Museum of Art Photo by Irving Penn, 1997
Located in Milano, IT
GIANNI Versace. Beautiful and rare Poster of the Metropolitan Museum of Art December 1997-March 1998 of the exhibition on Gianni Versace. The poster depicts a photograph by Irving Penn. Penn's photograph depicts the famous 1987 theatre costume in black quilted satin and white satin with black and white applications. from the TEATRO collection. Approximate size 89 x 63.5 cm. pay. Thank you for your cooperation! The poster is an interesting black and white look on one of Versace's most extravagant evening dresses. This item would be the perfect addition to any Gianni Versace or MMA collection. Versace's catwalk collections...
Category

1990s American Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper Dimensions (eac...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, Circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, Circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, Circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Amador Toril's "CAN" Photography, Spain, 2020.
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: "Can" Artist: Amador Toril Origin: Spain, 2020 Dimensions: 106 x 4 x 156 (h) cm.
Category

2010s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography, Circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper About the artis...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Polaroid Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of polaroid photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper Dimensions (eac...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Contemporary Photography
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Photography by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper Dimensions (eac...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Four Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Miquel Arnal Set of Polaroid Photographs
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Polaroid photographs by Miquel Arnal. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Material: Photographic paper ...
Category

1990s Spanish Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Paper

Japan Postmodern Black and White Photographic Print Flow by Masao Yamamoto, 2009
Located in MIlano, IT
Japan post-modern Black and white photographic print Flow by Masao Yamamoto, 2009 Black and white photographic print entitled Flow, representing a fawn lying among plants. In a whit...
Category

Early 2000s Japanese Post-Modern Photography

Materials

Wood, Paper

Post-modern photography for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Post-Modern photography for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage photography created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Post-Modern photography made in a specific country, there are Europe, Spain, and Brazil pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original photography, popular names associated with this style include Miquel Arnal, Felipe Varanda, Roberta Borges, and Andrés Siegel. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for photography differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $24,000 while the average work can sell for $1,650.

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