Miniature Bocca, Studio 65 Vitra

Vitra Miniatura Bocca, Studio 65: The use of cold-expanded polyurethane makes traditional methods of constructing furniture redundant. One series of sculptural furniture objects stands out amongst the furniture designs of the »Studio 65« group, since it makes radical use of the freedom of design allowed by this new material. And the style of this furniture demonstrates characteristics originating in the pictorial arts of the 1960s: the softening of a Claes Oldenburg, the naive stylization to be found in comics and commercial art, or the giant, intoxicated dimensions assumed by 1960s objects. Alongside an armchair in the shape of a pillared Greek temple and a Babylonian shrine as a playsystem for children, Studio 65's contribution to the »radical design« included a sofa in the shape of a woman's mouth. The subtitle Studio 65 gave to its Sofa Bocca: »alias lips, alias Marylin«, is a reference to the inspiration for this design and itssymbolism. Salvador Dalí, to whom the idea for a design of this kind has been attributed, was quoted by Studio 65 in this context as follows: »Objects with a symbolic function leave no room for formalconsiderations. They are characterized only by each individual's idea of love and are above any notions of shape.« Polyurethane-foam, fabric.

The collection of the Vitra Design Museum en miniature: The Miniatures Collection of the Vitra Design Museum covers the most important pieces from the international history of design from 1850 up to the present. The construction, materials and colours of the miniatures correspond precisely to the historical original. Extensive development work was carried out to adapt the manufacturing techniques to the requirements of miniaturization. Because they are so true to the originals, the miniatures are not only collector’s objects for furniture enthusiasts, but also serve as ideal illustrative material for universities and design schools. At present, the collection encompasses 80 models on a 1:6 scale with further pieces being continually added. The models come in their own wooden box and are accompanied by a descriptive brochure with details on the design. Net proceeds from the sale of the miniatures go towards the exhibitions and workshops of Vitra Design Museum.

Miniaturization means concentration: Vitra Design Museum faithfully replicates furniture design classics in miniaturized three-dimensional form. Many of these designs, like the chaise longue by Le Corbusier or the red-blue chair by Gerrit Rietveld, are as widely known today as the most celebrated works of art and are coveted by museums and collectors the world over. These miniatures illustrate at a glance what design means and what role it plays in the industrial production process. The clear and concentrated world of the miniatures yields a fascinating reflection of the stylistic diversity of contemporary design and provides a unique way of accessing the history of furniture design.

The manufacture of the miniatures: Vitra Design Museum has one of the most renowned collections of industrial furniture design – from the infancy of industrial mass production in the mid-19th century through the designs of functionalistic Modernism up to the postmodern furniture objects of the present day. With its many exhibits, the collection provides us with an ideal base for developing new furniture miniatures. Model builders measure the historical original in the museum collection, scale this down to one sixth of the original size and compile technical documentation. Subsequently, materials and manufacturing techniques are tested over a period of several months: the shapes are formed, materials and processes are selected, art historical research on the objects is conducted and then the production sequences are defined.