dieter rams VITRA design museum exhibition: modular world

dieter rams. modular world exhibition
VITRA schaudepot, temporary space
18.11.2016 – 12.03.2017

from 18 november 2016 to 12 march 2017, the VITRA design museum is presenting an exhibition called ‘dieter rams: modular world’, showcasing the works of dieter rams, one of the most influential german designers. the show features a selection of the furnishings and electrical appliances designed by rams, whose designs for the braun company are legendary and his design principles are more relevant today than ever.

(above) ‘stacking programme 740’ / image courtesy of appel design gallery by christian sagel
(main) ‘chair programme’ / image courtesy of appel design gallery by christian sagel

the ‘dieter rams: modular world’ exhibition at the VITRA design museum is the first one to put the focus on ram’s furniture designs, showing the strong link they have with his design philosophy. simplicity, honesty and timelessness are the essential characteristics he stated in his book published in 1970 called ‘ten principles for good design’. the starting point for the writings was a criticism of consumerism which led rams to create ‘long-lasting design that avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated.’

‘chair programme 620 (RZ 62)’ / image courtesy of appel design gallery by christian sagel

from 1955 to 1997, rams was the head of product design at braun, the german manufacturer, where his legendary electrical appliances are still praised. on the other hand, his furniture pieces are less known but are still produced today, 60 years after. looking back, rams explains that furniture design was very important to him: ‘perhaps even more directly than with the braun appliances, my furniture arose from a belief in how the world should be outfitted and how people should live in this artificial environment. in this respect, each piece of furniture is also a design for a certain kind of world and way of living.’

‘coffee table 621’ / image courtesy of appel design gallery by christian sagel