Earlier in the year, Vitra joined Luminaire’s elite roster of manufacturers and debuted its new collection of Miniatures, reduced-scale models of iconic design pieces from Vitra’s collection. In order to extend the wonder of Vitra to an even broader audience, Luminaire invited Rolf Fehlbaum, Chairman of the Vitra, to speak during the NeoCon World’s Trade Fair 1997. Engaging the guests with thought-provoking narratives, Felhbaum shared his early influences, including Charles and Ray Eames, and the design collection of 20th century greats he has amassed.
According to Fehlbaum, industrial design offers a crucial insight into the nature of the contemporary world, engaged both with the physical senses and with the minds of those who encounter it. In other words, design encompasses both philosophy and practice, both the concept and the concrete. In order best communicate this perspective to the public, the Vitra Design Museum collection is highly selective, determined to highlight only the most important pieces that have shaped the design world since the mid-twentieth century.
Luminaire consequentially selects Vitra design pieces that tell a rather distinctive story. One can see how contemporary designs retain dialogue with historical work, and how design has enhanced people’s lives over the past decades. Fehlbaum’s NeoCon lecture reiterated the importance of design that can affect people’s lives, and Luminaire was thrilled to host his visit and share the Vitra phenomenon with it’s honored guests.
Sunday, June 1, 1997
