RE-EVALUATING ICONIC POP ART FURNITURE THROUGH CONTEMPORARY SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA

Abstract

This study aims to examine the reflections of the Pop Art movement on furniture design within the framework of sustainability principles. The scope of the research comprises iconic seating elements created in the 1960s and 1970s under the aesthetic influence of Pop Art. In this context, the study seeks to reveal how the Pop Art movement shaped furniture design in terms of materials, form, and production techniques, and how these designs can be re-evaluated according to today’s sustainability criteria. The research is based on the assumption that Pop Art, beyond being merely an aesthetic movement, can serve as a valuable resource for contemporary design approaches. A qualitative research approach was adopted, employing document analysis and comparative analysis methods. Accordingly, a literature review was first conducted to investigate sustainable approaches in furniture design as well as the historical and cultural background of the Pop Art movement. Subsequently, iconic Pop Art furniture pieces such as the Panton Chair, Blow Chair, Spotty Chair, Libro, Molar Sofa, and Bocca Sofa were selected and comparatively analyzed in terms of form, material, production technique, ergonomics, and sustainability potential. This method allowed for a systematic exploration of the interaction between Pop Art aesthetics and contemporary sustainable design principles. The findings show that Pop Art furniture, with its bright colors, organic and kitsch forms, and petrochemical-based materials, reflected the consumer culture of its era but can be adapted to today’s circular design principles through strategies such as modularity, repairability, and the use of recycled or bio-based materials. The sculptural forms and experience-oriented designs of these icons also have the potential to extend product lifespans by fostering a longer-lasting bond between user and object. In conclusion, the study highlights that the aesthetic and conceptual legacy of Pop Art in furniture design can be reinterpreted from a sustainability perspective, offering designers both historical and innovative insights. In this way, the radical design icons of the past can converge with today’s environmentally friendly production and consumption strategies, functioning as a creative platform for sustainability.