Copycat Classics - An Artist Talk for Replica Autoprogettazione

These artist talks will involve a deep dive with Complete Thought Studio, the creators of Replica Autoprogettazione, into the variety of systems and materials used to create the furniture pieces shown in the exhibition.

Themes of the exhibition, the connection between the 'replica' chair and the original and the relationship to Enzo Mari’s Autoprogettazione will be unpacked and elaborated on in an open discussion, including ideas surrounding replica modernist furniture, systemization of architectural elements and DIY culture.

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The exhibition Replica Autoprogettazione is centred on four ‘replica’ chairs, each an instantly recognisable modernist design. Rather than their original materials, each replica is inventively recreated from a prosaic construction system, generally removed or concealed in a final piece of contemporary architecture. Each chair is accompanied by a set of graphical instructions, in the style of Enzo Mari’s ‘Autoprogettazione’, listing the required materials and showing how one can construct their own version of the replica through an intricate assemblage of off-the-shelf componentry.

For the duration of Melbourne Design Week, the exhibition will form a display in the Anibou Showroom with chairs presented alongside an original, licensed counterpart. A member of Complete Thought will be present in the showroom to discuss the works further.

Sitting at the intersection of architecture, industrial design, authorship and modernism Replica Autoprogettazione surveys the current design landscape in a humorous and inventive light, looking for ways that we can design our way around the world we have, to arrive where we want.

Replica Autoprogettazione will be open at the Anibou Showroom from 10AM - 4PM on the 15th-16th & 19th-23rd of May 2025

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Melbourne Design Week is an initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

Further details on the exhibition can be found through the below links:

Replica Autoprogettazione

Artist Talks