|
This beautifully designed book charts the influence of the space
craze on Western culture in a unique and entertaining way. With
special emphasis on the major effect that this movement had on contemporary
design, we are taken through the rise and fall of a worldwide obsession
with space travel, and its endless possibilities for the future.
The first chapter of this book describes in detail the history
and speedy development of space travel, examining the social, political
and technological changes that took place during the space era.
Drawing on a diverse mix of sources, the author successfully captures
the escalating mania that each technological development would induce
in the public. Pictures of children's comics, toy spaceships and
food are scattered over the pages and emphasise the childlike awe
that both children and adults experienced throughout this fascinating
era. The media had an important role in causing mass hype, among
Americans especially, and the author explains the impact of newspapers
and magazines on the people and technological advances of the USA.
Amusing stories, and snapshots of people obsessed with space travel,
are used to portray an impression of the absolute madness and excitement
that the space age brought to several generations.
The Cold War is examined closely as a major influence on the rapid
development of space age technology, and on the subsequent reactions
of people throughout the world. Stories of shuttle diplomacy, and
the competition between the USA and USSR, add some light humour
to a subject that could otherwise be slightly tedious - indeed,
the author emphasises the sheer silliness of space age politics.
After explaining the developments of the space age, the book moves
on to the huge impact it had on design in its various forms. Many
disciplines - from fashion design to architecture - were influenced
hugely by all aspects of the space age, and designers immersed themselves
in this new freedom. These people and their works reflected the
public's demand for a way of living that would mirror the possible
future - the designers were bringing to life childlike fantasies
and a futuristic utopia - perhaps as a reaction to the various problems
the world was experiencing. Essentially, the designers and the public
wanted to escape to a place with no limits and no problems; the
result was an influx of contemporary and innovative design portraying
such a fantasy.
The discovery of a new world - the moon - brought with it the
opportunity to start afresh. The question of tomorrow's home
took on greater significance and became the subject of increasing
curiosity.1
With a contagious enthusiasm, the author explores the impact of
the space age on interior design and furniture design, looking at
influential designers such as Eero Aarnio and his 'Bubble Chair'
of 1968. Authentic photos give a clear insight into the excitement
that these creations must have caused at the time - they are unconventional
even by today's standards. Fashion design is also looked at closely,
with the inclusion of 'built outfits from hard materials that had
more in common with engineering construction than couture'. A multitude
of designers are covered in this book, including Joe Columbo, Verner
Panton, AJS Aerolande, Pierre Cardin, Paco Rabanne, Mariko Mori
and Ushida Findlay - to name but a few.
Reading about and seeing pictures of these designs is both entertaining
in itself and inspiring. It is understandable that decades on, people
are still fascinated with the space age and the multitude of designs
it inspired. The fad has not disappeared completely - people still
buy inflatable plastic chairs, and fashion designers still create
'unwearable dresses in contemporary materials'. Indeed, the space
age look has found a new home in the 21st century - in couture,
in Ikea and its related enterprises, in every form of design in
fact. The 'live unlimited' ethos, so celebrated today, has its roots
in the space age of the recent past. Barriers of convention that
were lifted in the Sixties reappear and are smashed in a continuous
cycle, as people are pulled between the past and the future for
comfort and inspiration. Sean Topham succeeds in entertainingly
explaining the space age - with its continued influence on today’s
design - in this refreshing and well designed book.
Christiana Spens
1. Topham S. Where’s My Space Age? The Rise and Fall of Futuristic
Design. London: Prestel, 2003: 63.
|
