round table for exhibition “German Design 1949 - 1989”

2021

Client: Deutsche Werkstätten

The round table with a diameter of 2.4 m is on loan from Deutsche Werkstätten to the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden and was specially designed for the accompanying program to the exhibition “German Design 1949 - 1989” in the Kunsthalle im Lipsiusbau. In the event format of the same name, “Round Table”, there will be several rounds of talks on the common German design history, which will be filmed and published as a podcast.

Accordingly, the table should have a strong visual impact that is suitable for marketing in various media. The colour scheme takes up the colour concept of the exhibition catalogue and was deliberately chosen as a contrast to the architecture of the Lipsius building, where it is located in the basement for the duration of the exhibition.

The shape of the base is inspired by the futurism of the 70s and 80s and the table legs are a reminiscence of the Z-chair by Ernst Moeckl, which was planned as a visitor chair for the events from the start. The tabletop consists of Resopal coated MDF combined with acrylic panels and symbolizes the fragments and voids in the reappraisal of the history of both German countries, which the exhibition would like to close at least in part.

The Resopal for the surface was not chosen by chance. The material was invented before the division and then manufactured in both parts of Germany, where it had a big role in furniture production. The individual elements are not permanently connected to the frame and can be put together to form a new picture for the events, just as each discussion group aims to highlight new aspects of the topic.

Category: productdesign / concept

Photos: André Wirsig