“Night Tales” a Post Design Collection by Masanori Umeda

Forty years after the creation of the Memphis Group and the presentation of the famous Tawaraya boxing ring, a new family of products designed by Masanori Umeda now takes its place in the family of Post Design collections.

The Utamaro series consists of a double bed, sofa and armchair, inspired by the erotic rituals of the Edo period, women and the interiors of traditional homes, as represented in the works of the Japanese painter Kitagawa Utamaro.

These three coordinated furnishing objects, with their massive aesthetic impact, have a blue and fuchsia metal tubular structure, with iconic, black and white chessboard pattern laminate borders, tatami mats, trays with lacquered surfaces and flamboyant coloured silk pillows.

Just as he did with his Tawaraya boxing ring, Umeda combines traditional Japanese domestic aesthetics with contemporary Nippon accents and the western taste in furnishings in a remarkable juxtaposition.

The other works designed by Umeda in the early eighties which are now presented in the “Night Tales” collection are the Medusa table, a domestic animal with zigzag legs, with an iridescent, dichroic glass top that changes colour with the changing of the light conditions and the angle of viewing, the Animal Chair, a likable objects which exude instant empathy and emotional involvement, the Gelato lamp, halfway between an ice cream cone and a clown’s hat and the Star aluminium tray with small coloured handles and a perforated decorative motif in the centre.

The “Night Tales” collection can be viewed online at memphis-milano.com, as of 12 April. It will be available for viewing at the same time at the Post Design Gallery, Largo Treves 5, in the centre of the Brera Design District.

Discover the “Night Tales” new collection on Memphis' social profiles: Instagram @memphis_milano / Pinterest @memphisdesign / Facebook  Memphis Milano

Medusa, Masanori Umeda, 2020 (based on a 1982 design), limited edition of 24 items + 1 artist's proof, “Night Tales” Collection, Post Design.
Table with pale blue metal base, iridescent, dichroic glass top and round plexiglass feet. Dimensions: diameter 90, H 71.5 cm. Photograph © Delfino Sisto Legnani. Courtesy of Memphis srl.

Animal Chair, Masanori Umeda, 2020 (based on a 1982 design), limited edition of 24 items + 2 artist's proof, “Night Tales” Collection, Post Design.
Small armchair with metal and synthetic fabric seat and round plexiglass feet. Dimensions: W 50, D 53, H 80 cm. Photograph © Delfino Sisto Legnani. Courtesy of Memphis srl.

Gelato, Masanori Umeda, 2020 (based on a 1982 design), “Night Tales” Collection, Post Design.
Lamp with aluminium structure, available in table, wall-mounted and ceiling versions. GLOBO 14W-E27 led bulb. Dimensions: table diameter 21, H 43 cm, appliqué diameter 15, H 40 cm; ceiling diameter 15, H 40 cm. Photograph © Delfino Sisto Legnani. Courtesy of Memphis srl.

Star, Masanori Umeda, 2020 (based on a 1982 design), “Night Tales” Collection, Post Design.
Satin effect aluminium tray with coloured handles. Dimensions: diameter 40, H 5.5 cm. Photograph © Delfino Sisto Legnani. Courtesy of Memphis srl.