Analysis of The Tartar Table and The Bondage Suit as Great Examples of Postmodernism

Postmodernism was a time where architecture and design began to move away from the traditional design that came before it. Design started to become more subjective, and diverse. When looking at postmodern design the argument of which represents postmodernism more as a design comes into question. The Tartar Table was created by Ettore Sottsass in 1985. An ensemble called the Bondage Suit was made by Vivienne Westwood, in collaboration with Malcolm McLaren, made between 1976 and 1980. While both great of examples of the period of Postmodernism, the Tartar Table would be considered a much better representation than the Bondage Suit.

Postmodernism was a period of breaking away from past art, and expressing more interterpentational pieces, that could be seen in many ways. With the idea of postmodernism representing this more unique style, a comparison can be made and decide which one is more representational of the Postmodern style. Introduction Ettore Sottsass, in 1985, created the Tartar Table. This piece was made for the Memphis Milano company. The piece is constructed of reconstituted wood veneer, plastic laminate, lacquer, and plywood. This piece is creative, and unique take on a standard console table, and made in the Postmodern style. The piece has a black base, with a black support going up the left side, meeting a tan colored rectangular block, that “balances” on the support rail and sitting partially on it and another black base, that is slightly shorter than the base below. There is a second white support that is slightly offset the the right of the piece that connects to the upper base. On the right is a final support that is marble patterned, sitting on a red block, and connects to the upper base as well. The bottom base is black around the whole block, while the top base is black on top and bottom, with intersecting diagonal lines going around the outside edges. On top of the upper base is a second rectangular block, similar to the other but slightly larger, skinnier, and red. In between the two bases in between the side supports, and behind the support in the middle is a wood patterned, thin piece, that is a sort of quarter circle with the top cut off, and is smaller than both the bases lengthwise, and connects to both bases.

Vivienne Westwood created the Bondage Suit in that late 1970s (1976-1980). This suit was made from cotton and metal. Vivienne created with suit in collaboration with Malcolm McLaren. It originated with standard army pants from the time. He saw the and put them in the same color as the back of British rail clerks’ waistcoats, a shiny black sateen, which McLaren had seen. The whole ensemble is a black trench coat, with a large collar, some pockets and was zip up. Underneath the trench coat is what appears as a button up shirt with dull, light colors on it. The pants are full length black pants, with a sort of skirt attached to it, help up by chains, which is also black. Between the knees and connecting up to the arms are bondage straps, added in by Mclaren.

Context

When comparing these two pieces of art, and their relation to the idea of Postmodernism itself, it is important to look at how the objects create that relation. A characteristic of Postmodernism was “the idea of breaking down distinction between high and low art, particularly with the incorporation of elements of popular culture…”. The ensemble, Bondage Suit, created by Vivienne is a great example of taking the normal and incorporating it with the “punk” style of the time. Ettore also does this in his incorporation of colors, and erratic design used to make an ordinary console table, into a unique, vibrant, work of art, representative of its time. David Raizman in History of Modern Design discusses that laminated surfaces and juxtaposition of the patterns, and relates it to other pieces of artwork. He then goes on to discuss “conflicting, overlapping interpretations that are not atypical of Postmodern forms…” These statements go to emphasize the relation to Postmodernism that the Tartar Table has. The brightly laminated surfaces and the use of his juxtaposition along with the all the interpretations left by this piece reinforces the style of Postmodern. Raizman also takes on Vivienne’s piece, describing it and others like it as, “Clothing invoked underground pornography and bondage with chains, tight fitting elastic and shiny materials, and an unbridled freedom of expression intended to celebrate difference and test the boundaries of propriety. ” This quote helps show the pieces connection with Postmodernism as the freedom of expression and testing the boundaries of propriety, are great examples of the Postmodern style.

Another characteristic of Postmodernism that relates more to the Tartar Table than the Bondage Suit ensemble, is the “idea that there was one inherent meaning to a work of art or that this meaning was determined by the artist at the at the time of creation. ” This relates to the Tartar Table and supports its relation to the Postmodern style as when looking at the piece there is no apparent meaning to it, and allows interpretation of the view to decide. Interpretations of this piece can be made through the formation of the individual pieces, or the colors they possess, or even through the use of positive and negative space in the piece. The Bondage Suit can relate to this characteristic as the idea of what this suit it representing can be interpreted different, and apply a different meaning depending on who, and during what time this person views this. When looking at the Tartar Table, and the Bondage Suit and thinking which of the two better displays the ideas of Postmodernism the Tartar Table seems to have a better relation.

The use of the juxtaposition in not only the use of color, but the positioning of the parts that make up this piece are very representative of the Postmodern style. The design of the piece doesn't take away its function as a console table, and it takes the traditional ordinary object, and makes it unordinary, and unique. The Bondage Suit on the other hand while unique, and the design doesn't necessarily limit its function, but its not to the same extent of the Tartar Table.

Review of Literature

The scholar, David Raizman published the textbook The History of Modern Design. This textbook was very useful in my creation of this paper. Raizmans writing was organized very well and easy to follow and comprehend. It was helpful in understanding modern design and would be helpful for others that wish to learn more about it as well. The content is informational, and interesting to read. Colleen Adours, Ashbee: Dawn of the Modern Movement in Design During the Age of "Jack the Ripper"!, was another useful source when making this paper. The scholars paper was helpful in my understanding of creating a comparison paper, It allowed me to learn the layout, and style of the paper. The paper was well organized and clear to follow, making the process of learning the layout simple.

Sarah Jenkins’ paper “Postmodern Art” was a source that allowed me to further understand Postmodern art. Her paper is very well written and organized. The layout is very easy to follow, and is a good source for anyone wishing to read more on the development of Postmodernism. Her style of writing and explaining of concepts was easy to follow, and concise.

Conclusion

Postmodernism was a time when art and design began to move away from the traditional style of “good art”. When observing these pieces created by Vivienne and Ettore, Ettores’ Tartar Table is a much better representation of the Postmodern style. It breaks away from the traditional style in such a unique way, sacrificing no function to the object. The piece is full of interpretation and supports the ideas that were present in the Postmodern time. Through writing this it allowed a further understanding of Postmodern design and what it truly means to be representational of that.