Plastic Furniture Fetishists Celebrate Kartell Designer Joe Colombo

One word: plastics. Last night, furniture fetishists turned out in droves for Kartell's "Homage to Joe Colombo," a celebration of the reissue of the designer's iconic 4801 chair.  

The original 1965 model was actually the first from Kartell, which designs the world's premier plastic furniture, to be manufactured entirely out of wood. But thanks to more advanced technology, Kartell is finally able to reproduce the chair in its clear trademark for the first time.

Guests raised flutes of champagne to Mr. Colombo, who was in attendance, and admired the juxtaposition of the original chair and its reissue.  A special exhibition featured furniture, lighting and other accessories created by the artist between 1964 and 1971, in addition to an ongoing exhibition by Swedish-American designer and architect, Greta Magnusson Grossman. Many of the pieces were for sale, and prospective buyers jotted down their names, hoping to add the newest plastic masterpiece to their collection.

Through February 10 at R 20th Century Gallery, 82 Franklin St. For more information, go HERE.