Few designers have blended Minimalism and Surrealism into artistic furniture as successfully as Shiro Kuramata. His experimentation with form, function, color and motif informed cabinets, chairs and side tables that are as mystifying as they are visually striking.
Born in Tokyo in 1934, Kuruamata studied at the Kuwasawa Design School. In the 1970s and ’80s, he explored industrial materials in his designs. Inspired by Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass, Kuramata produced irreverent and bold work. In 1981, Kuramata joined Sottsass in his founding of the Memphis Group, named for a Bob Dylan song. The Milan-based collective aimed to turn the status quo on its head and redefine what was considered appealing in modern furniture style.
His experience with the Memphis Group led Kuramata to embrace unconventional optical effects. No piece embodies this more skillfully than the Miss Blanche chair. Crafted with transparent resin and flecked with rose-petal flecks, it gives the illusion that the sitter is floating.
The How High the Moon armchair is a prime example of his playful nature and willingness to challenge the expectations for furniture design. Including shards of colored glass in concrete surfaces, his “star piece” material was prevalent throughout his work, giving the tops of his end tables and coffee tables a brazen, gem-encrusted appearance. His daring approach to design can also be seen in pieces like his sheer glass bookcases with their seemingly fragile shelves.
Kuramata created many visual delights before his death in 1991. His work is in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. His pieces remain highly prized by collectors and design enthusiasts worldwide.
On 1stDibs, explore a selection of vintage Shiro Kuramata seating, storage pieces, decorative objects and more.
Spiral Clock a Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern
By Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Spiral clock designed by Shiro Kuramata. Dial is inside acrylic edge rounded shade.
Acrylic
Dear Morris contemporary floor Clock black 80s Postmodern, Japanese Design
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Contemporary style floor clock designed by Shigeru Uchida in 1989. This clock was designed for Hotel Il Palazzo situated in Fukuoka, Japan. Later, Italian manufacture Acerbis / Morph...
Wood
Neos Wall Clock 2 George Sowden Nathalie du Pasquier Postmodern
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Lorenz, George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Neos clock designed by George Sowden and Nathalie du Pasquier in the 80s. Neos is the brand run by Lorenz clock company in Italy. They were designed a lot o...
Plastic
Ryosuke Harashima Contemporary Hall clock Zen
By Ryosuke Harashima
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Amahare Hall clock created with antique Japanese clock and steel. This piece is a modern transformation of an antique clock.Black painted steel frame with small yellow glass ta...
Steel
Dear Morris contemporary floor Clock 80s Postmodern, Japanese Design
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Contemporary style floor clock designed by Shigeru Uchida in 1989. This clock was designed for Hotel Il Palazzo situated in Fukuoka, Japan. Later, Italian manufacture Acerbis / Morph...
Wood
Glass Pendulum Clock Takashi Kato Postmodern, 1980s Japanese Design
By Memphis Milano, Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Glass pendulum clock by Sessa. It can be used as both standing on the table and hanging on the wall. Takashi Kato designed a lot of clocks in the 1980s-19...
Glass, Plastic
Arne Jacobsen 'Bankers' Wall Clock, Black, Ø 8.3 in
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in New York, NY
The stylish black Bankers Wall Clock by Arne Jacobsen Clocks is 21 cm in diameter. The design is classic, with a twist of creative little details, such as the elegant spiral that ill...
Metal
Mocap "White/Black" Illusionistic Wall Clock
Located in Maastricht, NL
Mocap (white-black) Illusionistic wall clock Design: Jan Paul “Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also t...
Steel
Arne Jacobsen 'Bankers' Wall Clock, Black, Ø 11.4 in
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in New York, NY
The delightful black Bankers Wall Clock by Arne Jacobsen Clocks is 29 cm in diameter. The clock was originally designed in 1971 for use in the National Bank of Denmark, but now you, ...
Metal
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Kienzle, 1980s
By Kienzle Clocks
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Kienzle, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Acryl...
Acrylic
Nomon Punto Suspensivos Wall Clock By Jose Maria Reina
By Nomon, José María Reina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The classic industrial style wall clock, crafted with attention to every detail. Its steel hands are available in black, red, or white.
Brass
Arne Jacobsen 'Station' Wall Clock, White, Ø 6.5 in
By Arne Jacobsen
Located in New York, NY
Take time out for the latest interior design trends. Arne Jacobsen's Station Clock was originally designed for the electrical manufacturer LK in 1941. The original design for this ic...
Metal
