Focus on Verpan
04.09.15
Verner Panton (1926-1998) was one of the true rebels and pioneers of mid-20th century design. Born in Denmark, he studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen. After serving his apprenticeship with Arne Jacobsen, Panton set out on a two-year furniture design odyssey across Europe in a VW camper van equipped with a drawing office!
Establishing contacts with many furniture manufacturers Panton’s first production design was the Bachelor chair produced by Fritz Hansen in 1965. Many other innovative and futuristic designs followed including the Cone Chair, Living Tower and the S-chair product line from which developed the famous Vitra Panton Chair.
As well as furniture, Panton created a series of textiles (many still manufactured) and a series of modern lamps. Panton was interested not only in the lighting itself but in how it should interact with and influence its surroundings. His lighting designs often include multiple reflective or metallic surfaces. Fun (1964), is an almost ‘bling’ design featuring small metal or mother of pearl articulated disks that sparkle and throw reflected light wonderfully around the room.
Danish company Verpan has for many years continued the appeal of the works of Verner Panton. Beginning with Panton’s lamps they have now recently introduced a new collection of furniture and rugs from the Verner Panton archives. From the System 1-2-3 to Panto Pop and the Cloverleaf, the often sinuous and fluid designs have a sense of fun, brought to life by Verpan with a degree of opulence. It’s testament to the timelessness of the original designs that there is still great interest in these designs 40 or more years on.
Verner Panton was an inspirational and colourful personality. A unique person with a special sense of colours, shapes, light function and room.
