(smow)offline: The Essence of Things. Design and the Art of Reduction

On Saturday 20.03.2010 the latest Vitra Design Museum exhibition “The Essence of Things. Design and the Art of Reduction” officially opens.
An exhibition very much after our own hearts.

“The Essence of Things. Design and the Art of Reduction” explores the logic that “it is in the nature of human beings to seek the simplest solution” Although admittedly this is a logic that – despite its logic –  all too many designers somehow manage to ignore, there are thankfully enough examples of good, reduced, design to prove that simple really is best.

The exhibition features works from, for example,  Michael Thonet, Le Corbusier, Charles and Ray Eames, Jasper Morrison and naturally the doyen of “less is more” Dieter Rams.

In addition to featuring items dating from a Stone Age stone axe, over the  Thonet Chair No. 14 and up to the iPod, the designer furniture is complemented by photos from the fields of architecture, fashion and art.

“The Essence of Things. Design and the Art of Reduction” runs at the Vitra Design Museum until 19.09.

Our tip: visit in April, combine it with a trip to the VitraHaus and enjoy the wonderful cherry blossom in the orchard between the VitraHaus and the Vitra Design Museum.

"The Essence of Things. Design and the Art of Reduction": A stone axe, good, simple, design (foto: Andreas Sütterlin, copyright Vitra Design Museum)

"The Essence of Things. Design and the Art of Reduction": Eames Chairs good, simple, design (foto: Copyright Vitra)

"The Essence of Things. Design and the Art of Reduction": Panton Chair good, simple, design (foto: Andreas Sütterlin, copyright Panton Design, Basel)