The Georg Jensen and Alessi Design: A comparative analysis on the use of memory

 

The Georg Jensen and Alessi Design

A comparative analysis focusing on the use of memory

 

The dimension of memory has become a central theme within several fields of research, including architecture, philosophy, psychology and medicine. However, memory has not yet been explored more substantially as an independent identity category in design research. This article deals with the use of the memory theme in design examples from the two companies Georg Jensen and Alessi. Italian design practice is characterized by a tradition of involving memory categories from Italian history, philosophy, art and tradition in the design process. Alessi's motivation for involving the concept of memory is that it adds a cultural dimension to the design objects, enabling the objects to make an identity-forming impact. Compared to this, Danish and Scandinavian design practice has traditionally focused on form and function with frequent references to the forms of nature. This does not necessarily mean that the memory theme does not form a part of Danish design. Whereas memory is used deliberately in Italian design, it is perhaps manifested more intuitively as a non-culturally generated memory in Danish design, a memory, which is founded in the organic, in nature metaphors.