Carlton

2006
Martin, Simon
With its measured voiceover and careful camerawork, Carlton resembles the sort of interpretation material one might find in a room adjacent to a museum exhibition, rather than an exhibit itself. The voice tells the story of Memphis, the Postmodern design group led by Ettore Sottsass, and of perhaps its most iconic product, the 'Carlton' bookcase from 1981. Despite its use of kitsch laminates instead of rare woods, the original bookcase was beyond the financial means of most households, and was made only in limited numbers. Nevertheless, the film proposes that its influence ripples not only through every home, but also through the design of every public space and building we encounter.
  • Artwork Details: running time: 8 minutes 25seconds
  • Edition: 2 of 3 + 2APs
  • Material description: 16mm film transferred to DVD
  • Credit line: © the artist
  • Theme:
  • Medium: Film and Audio Visual
  • Accession number: ACC2/2007

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The Arts Council Collection is the UK's most widely seen collection of modern and contemporary art.

With more than 8,000 works by over 2,000 artists, it can be seen in exhibitions and public displays across the country and beyond. This website offers unprecedented access to the Collection, and information about each work can be found on this site.