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Rather than "mid-century", it's actually high modernism. Subsequent so-called "modernism" ads needless, structually questionable adornment and archaic features.

Rather than "mid-century", it's actually high modernism. Subsequent so-called "modernism" ads needless, structually questionable adornment and archaic features. Similarly, high modernist poetry peaked in the 1940s and 1950s. Since then we've had some good poetry but nothing that attempts to meld form and function in the same way that modernist poets like Eliot and Stein were able to. IOW there is nothing dated about it -- which is why we still love it. Until furniture starts being made out of more space-age fabrics (or perhaps poetry out of emoji) it's unlikely that modernity will have much more to offer to furniture design or poetry... Postmodernism is the realization that modern ideals have been met and that some objective other than design and functionality can become the focal point. Often, ironically, it's nostalgia of some kind. There is nothing nostalgic about choosing modern designs. They simply optimize form and function with current materials and technology. That materials and tech for furniture have plateaued is a separate issue. Largely, the innovations have been in production, distribution, and manufacturing. Someone is far more likely today to live in a space adorned by modern designs mass-produced by Ikea or Target. On a separate note I just discovered startup furniture company "Joybird". Pretty nice stuff, mostly so-called 'mid-century modern'.

TheOtherHobbes 12y ago
"IOW there is nothing dated about it" I'm surprised someone thinks this. To me most of it looks obviously dated, and very much a spindly and kitschy consumer product of Cold War suburbia. It has very little of the purity of real modernism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_furniture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_furniture As for Stein - not everyone was impressed by her contribution: http://www.romanianculture.org/downloads/testimony_against_g_stein.pdf http://www.romanianculture.org/downloads/testimony_against_g...
- grandalf 12y ago
  > I'm surprised someone thinks this. To me most of it looks obviously dated. I think this is mostly in the eye of the beholder. Is there really much difference in the use of materials and form/function? I'd argue it's a minor aesthetic difference. Also, I'd also argue that a chair like this is postmodern in the same way as designing a server case out of wood would be: Nostalgia for wood and desire for modern structure, where other materials would do a far better job. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eames_Lounge_Chair_Wood#/media/File:Eames_Wood_Chair.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eames_Lounge_Chair_Wood#/media/...
  - nine_k 12y ago
    Wood is in no way nostalgic. It's very practical, relatively cheap, reasonably strong, easy to process, and easy to recycle. For instance, IKEA which is well-known for its expressly inexpensive and minimalist furniture offers a lot of wooden furniture, kids toys, etc. Also, every day I take a few NYC subway trains. Each car has its electric power collector mounted on a wooden plank. This is probably done because of practical reasons (wood is cheap, strong, and is a good electric insulator), not nostalgic.
- bch 12y ago
  > kitschy consumer product That is only coincidental side effect of manufacturing and economic means that allowed these things to be cheaply copied and consumed.
  - greenpresident 12y ago
    Incidentally, one of the motivations behind the Bauhaus movement was to move against art nouveau's style that was impossible to mass produce. So they started using material that was easily available and designed furniture that could potentially be mass produced. See these for example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassily_Chair http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassily_Chair http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantilever_chair http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantilever_chair
- mturmon 12y ago
  The Noguchi table and the Eames plywood chair in the "Modern Furniture" article you linked to would also be regarded as midcentury modern. (And check out the Noguchi "cloud" sofa: http://observer.com/2014/12/the-six-figure-sofa-mid-century-modern-goes-on-the-block/ http://observer.com/2014/12/the-six-figure-sofa-mid-century-...). If this is kitsch, count me in. In other words: It's a slippery slope from what you might call "high modernism" (e.g., Bauhaus) to midcentury modern. Trying to characterize one as pure and one as consumerist seems like a category error -- these adjectives pertain more to specific pieces or arrangements than to the whole movement. Similarly, arguing about whether these pieces are "dated" seems beside the point. The works were a product of their time. Some of them continue to impress. Another point of reference regarding the idiosyncratic ways that modernism presented itself is Alvar Aalto, the Finnish architect and designer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvar_Aalto http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvar_Aalto). His furniture and interiors would also be regarded as modernist, and (being Finnish) very centered around wood. Some of it might look "spindly and kitschy", especially depending on how it is arranged in a room. But check out http://www.archdaily.com/85390/ad-classics-villa-mairea-alvar-aalto/ http://www.archdaily.com/85390/ad-classics-villa-mairea-alva.... Again, count me in.
- cbd1984 12y ago
  Last link is a PDF.
slantedview 12y ago
Joybird is nice stuff indeed. While acknowledging that they seem to be Thrive knockoffs, I did recently order a sofa and chair from them. Most of my case goods and tables are vintage though. It's amazing how well designed, well made 50-60 year old (mid-century) furniture still looks better than most things I can buy new, and probably still will in another 50 years.
pnathan 12y ago
> IOW there is nothing dated about it -- which is why we still love it. "well, actually..." Lots of modernist stuff feels very dated. And, uh, I've rarely met people who are really into the Modernist art look who are outside of art circles... I think it's far past time to move on from modernism & "post-modernism" to find a clearer ideal for the 21st century.
- grandalf 12y ago
  > I think it's far past time to move on from modernism & "post-modernism" to find a clearer ideal for the 21st century. Modernism just means optimizing the materials for the function -- good design in the way that some Apple products are. In the 1500s, modernism was far different but still had the same definition. As materials and manufacturing techniques improve, it will be fascinating to see what kinds of designs become possible.
  - cdcarter 12y ago
    That's not what we're talking about when we say Modernism. Modernism (with a capital M, and the kind being referred to by art critics) is a philosophy born from and part of a specific time period.
- nickbauman 12y ago
  There's a lot of bad midcentury modern. Some of it is even pictured in the article. But the Barcelona chair, also pictured, has stood the test of time.
- coldtea 12y ago
  >* And, uh, I've rarely met people who are really into the Modernist art look who are outside of art circles...* Have you met many people into ANY particular art look who are outside of art circles?
  - sanoli 12y ago
    Sure. I'm into naïf art and into expressionists from the french school, and I'm way outside art circles (haven't been to an exhibition in 15 years)
mc32 12y ago
I think the popularity of mid-century modern owes some to the bauhaus movement. Utilitarian, streamlined, functional with an aesthetic eye in mind. Dieter Rams and company. It borrows from architecture, aerospace and futurism. Some of the aesthetic is captured in Winogrand's great photographic opus, "1964". The Palm Springs of the world when people were moving from the city core to new cites which excited with future vision. JFK airport, the Streamliners and the Airstreams. But eventually there was a backlash as interpreted by "The New Topographics" --all too clean and alienating, the exuberance of the midcentury was hiding a secret of failure to deliver on the dreams to the masses. But now it's back with a vengeance and the height of good taste as pronounced by the tastemakers like the MoMA.
- sbuk 12y ago
  I'd argue that Rams is more functionalist than modernist; see his ten principles of design. https://www.vitsoe.com/gb/about/good-design https://www.vitsoe.com/gb/about/good-design
m-photonic 12y ago
Optimized? A lot of those chairs look pretty uncomfortable.
mturmon 12y ago
Another option is imported original mid-century from Europe. In LA (where Joybird is) try Amsterdam Modern: http://amsterdammodern.com/about http://amsterdammodern.com/about
timc3 12y ago
Where do you get that it’s called high modernism? Personally it’s my favourite style, but it is dated. And like everything else it was a product of new advances in manufacturing and production, not just a marriage of form and function which can be seen in furniture going back 100-150 years further.

TheOtherHobbes 12y ago

"IOW there is nothing dated about it" I'm surprised someone thinks this. To me most of it looks obviously dated, and very much a spindly and kitschy consumer product of Cold War suburbia. It has very little of the purity of real modernism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_furniture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_furniture As for Stein - not everyone was impressed by her contribution: http://www.romanianculture.org/downloads/testimony_against_g_stein.pdf http://www.romanianculture.org/downloads/testimony_against_g...

grandalf 12y ago
> I'm surprised someone thinks this. To me most of it looks obviously dated. I think this is mostly in the eye of the beholder. Is there really much difference in the use of materials and form/function? I'd argue it's a minor aesthetic difference. Also, I'd also argue that a chair like this is postmodern in the same way as designing a server case out of wood would be: Nostalgia for wood and desire for modern structure, where other materials would do a far better job. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eames_Lounge_Chair_Wood#/media/File:Eames_Wood_Chair.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eames_Lounge_Chair_Wood#/media/...
- nine_k 12y ago
  Wood is in no way nostalgic. It's very practical, relatively cheap, reasonably strong, easy to process, and easy to recycle. For instance, IKEA which is well-known for its expressly inexpensive and minimalist furniture offers a lot of wooden furniture, kids toys, etc. Also, every day I take a few NYC subway trains. Each car has its electric power collector mounted on a wooden plank. This is probably done because of practical reasons (wood is cheap, strong, and is a good electric insulator), not nostalgic.
bch 12y ago
> kitschy consumer product That is only coincidental side effect of manufacturing and economic means that allowed these things to be cheaply copied and consumed.
- greenpresident 12y ago
  Incidentally, one of the motivations behind the Bauhaus movement was to move against art nouveau's style that was impossible to mass produce. So they started using material that was easily available and designed furniture that could potentially be mass produced. See these for example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassily_Chair http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassily_Chair http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantilever_chair http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantilever_chair
mturmon 12y ago
The Noguchi table and the Eames plywood chair in the "Modern Furniture" article you linked to would also be regarded as midcentury modern. (And check out the Noguchi "cloud" sofa: http://observer.com/2014/12/the-six-figure-sofa-mid-century-modern-goes-on-the-block/ http://observer.com/2014/12/the-six-figure-sofa-mid-century-...). If this is kitsch, count me in. In other words: It's a slippery slope from what you might call "high modernism" (e.g., Bauhaus) to midcentury modern. Trying to characterize one as pure and one as consumerist seems like a category error -- these adjectives pertain more to specific pieces or arrangements than to the whole movement. Similarly, arguing about whether these pieces are "dated" seems beside the point. The works were a product of their time. Some of them continue to impress. Another point of reference regarding the idiosyncratic ways that modernism presented itself is Alvar Aalto, the Finnish architect and designer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvar_Aalto http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvar_Aalto). His furniture and interiors would also be regarded as modernist, and (being Finnish) very centered around wood. Some of it might look "spindly and kitschy", especially depending on how it is arranged in a room. But check out http://www.archdaily.com/85390/ad-classics-villa-mairea-alvar-aalto/ http://www.archdaily.com/85390/ad-classics-villa-mairea-alva.... Again, count me in.
cbd1984 12y ago
Last link is a PDF.

slantedview 12y ago

Joybird is nice stuff indeed. While acknowledging that they seem to be Thrive knockoffs, I did recently order a sofa and chair from them. Most of my case goods and tables are vintage though. It's amazing how well designed, well made 50-60 year old (mid-century) furniture still looks better than most things I can buy new, and probably still will in another 50 years.

pnathan 12y ago

> IOW there is nothing dated about it -- which is why we still love it. "well, actually..." Lots of modernist stuff feels very dated. And, uh, I've rarely met people who are really into the Modernist art look who are outside of art circles... I think it's far past time to move on from modernism & "post-modernism" to find a clearer ideal for the 21st century.

grandalf 12y ago
> I think it's far past time to move on from modernism & "post-modernism" to find a clearer ideal for the 21st century. Modernism just means optimizing the materials for the function -- good design in the way that some Apple products are. In the 1500s, modernism was far different but still had the same definition. As materials and manufacturing techniques improve, it will be fascinating to see what kinds of designs become possible.
- cdcarter 12y ago
  That's not what we're talking about when we say Modernism. Modernism (with a capital M, and the kind being referred to by art critics) is a philosophy born from and part of a specific time period.
nickbauman 12y ago
There's a lot of bad midcentury modern. Some of it is even pictured in the article. But the Barcelona chair, also pictured, has stood the test of time.
coldtea 12y ago
>* And, uh, I've rarely met people who are really into the Modernist art look who are outside of art circles...* Have you met many people into ANY particular art look who are outside of art circles?
- sanoli 12y ago
  Sure. I'm into naïf art and into expressionists from the french school, and I'm way outside art circles (haven't been to an exhibition in 15 years)

mc32 12y ago

I think the popularity of mid-century modern owes some to the bauhaus movement. Utilitarian, streamlined, functional with an aesthetic eye in mind. Dieter Rams and company. It borrows from architecture, aerospace and futurism. Some of the aesthetic is captured in Winogrand's great photographic opus, "1964". The Palm Springs of the world when people were moving from the city core to new cites which excited with future vision. JFK airport, the Streamliners and the Airstreams. But eventually there was a backlash as interpreted by "The New Topographics" --all too clean and alienating, the exuberance of the midcentury was hiding a secret of failure to deliver on the dreams to the masses. But now it's back with a vengeance and the height of good taste as pronounced by the tastemakers like the MoMA.

sbuk 12y ago
I'd argue that Rams is more functionalist than modernist; see his ten principles of design. https://www.vitsoe.com/gb/about/good-design https://www.vitsoe.com/gb/about/good-design

m-photonic 12y ago

Optimized? A lot of those chairs look pretty uncomfortable.

mturmon 12y ago

Another option is imported original mid-century from Europe. In LA (where Joybird is) try Amsterdam Modern: http://amsterdammodern.com/about http://amsterdammodern.com/about

timc3 12y ago

Where do you get that it’s called high modernism? Personally it’s my favourite style, but it is dated. And like everything else it was a product of new advances in manufacturing and production, not just a marriage of form and function which can be seen in furniture going back 100-150 years further.