Product Description

The author of "Blowup" goes back to the future to follow the evolution of space-age design: from its optimistic conception in the 1950s to its decline in the 1970s and its retro-revival today. The Soviet-American race to the moon ignited a world-wide obsession with outer space and futuristic living that was manifested in the era's architecture, design and popular culture - and reflected in everything from furniture to postage stamps, fashion to children's toys. With hundreds of illustrations, Sean Topham reveals the countless ways the galactic frontier invaded every aspect of daily life: in household objects and "haute couture", advertising and comic books, plastics and interior design, private homes and public buildings. He explains how artists' conceptions of the future influenced history and were in turn shaped by events for decades to come. As Topham charts the rise and fall of futuristic design through the work of Eero Aarnio, Joe Colombo, Verner Panton, Pierre Cardin, Courreges, Paco Rabanne, Archigram, Haus-Rucker-Co, Matti Suuronen, John Lautner and Adrian Frutiger, among many others, he reveals how the era's euphoric energy gave way to a more anxious uncertainty. He also questions whether today's passion for futuristic design is purely retro-chic or the dawning of a new fascination with space-age culture.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1341980 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Customer Reviews

A bit long-winded, but informative nevertheless
"Where's My Space Age," packaged in a kitschy pink vinyl cover (not shown above), opens with a very detailed chapter chronicling the history of early space travel. Although it does drag on a bit, Topham includes enough historic tidbits to keep the reader awake for the pièce de résistance.

The section on 60s interior design is the highlight of the book and would be of great interest to fans of mod furniture and futuristic scapes. A host of full-color photos (some of which have been pilfered from "Blowup," another Topham publication) accompany a lengthy listing of notable creations and influential designers. Design-junkies may find Fiell's "Decorative Art 1960's" more visually appealing, but when it comes down to historic fact, I haven't found a more definitive resource than this title. I was also quite pleased by the visual presentation of the book. With at least one photo per page, the kitsch fanatic can get his or her fill of spacey goodness.

The final chapter covers the fall of futuristic design. The inclusion of Japanese artist Mariko Mori is, in my opinion, about the only reason to skim through this chapter. It is a necessary conclusion, but nothing we haven't read before.

Bottom line: This title is filled with enough content to make it both visually and informationally necessary for the personal library. Skip the history lesson and skim the last chapter, but don't let the meat of the book pass you by. Topham's book, despite its shortcomings, is a must-have for any fan of mid- 20th century design.