Pentagon
Pentagon Group, formed in 1985 in Cologne of 5 members, arrived at a time when interest in Europe was being focussed on avant-garde and experimental design.
The New German design movement produced different 'schools' or groups within itself according to geographical location and its particular influences. The young Berlin designers, close to the Neue Wilden painters of the time, designed many figurative pieces and appeared aggressive in their experiments, eager to shake off and replace the old avant garde. While Pentagon, the group from Cologne, remained more constructivist in their approach with more strict, minimal forms. Still always in common amongst the different groups, however, was a distinct sense of Self evident in the work, which had not been previously present in classic German design culture. With its brutal honesty, new German 80's design remains uncontrived, refreshing, and truly reflective of the social conditions in which it originated.
The New German design movement produced different 'schools' or groups within itself according to geographical location and its particular influences. The young Berlin designers, close to the Neue Wilden painters of the time, designed many figurative pieces and appeared aggressive in their experiments, eager to shake off and replace the old avant garde. While Pentagon, the group from Cologne, remained more constructivist in their approach with more strict, minimal forms. Still always in common amongst the different groups, however, was a distinct sense of Self evident in the work, which had not been previously present in classic German design culture. With its brutal honesty, new German 80's design remains uncontrived, refreshing, and truly reflective of the social conditions in which it originated.