Earlier this year, we were hoping to share an insider look at Radical: Italian Design 1965-1985 The Dennis Freedman Collection at the MFAH. Things don’t always go as planned. But thanks to some great photography and video, we invite you join us as we explore this captivating exhibit from the comfort of home. And bring the kiddos! For those of us doubling as teachers right now, this bold and colorful exhibition is a virtual field trip that’s great for all ages.

What is Radical?

After WWII, many countries around the world were experiencing an economic boom referred to as the “Economic Miracle”. Mass production was on the rise. More people were moving to urban areas. A tendency toward consumerism was growing. A new set of artists, designers, and architects from Italy were responding to these trends in a provocative way. These are the Radicals. The Radicals felt that consumerism was taking away our focus on what mattered: our connection to nature, our individuality, and our sensitivity to social injustice. 

The exhibition features over 70 pieces of the period. The pieces were donated, loaned by, or purchased from Dennis Freedman. Dennis is the former Creative Director for W Magazine and one of the world’s top collectors of Radical design. In a recent interview with Introspective magazine, Freedman summarized the time in a powerful way: “Radical design was a serious and difficult movement. It was very much a reaction to a bourgeois world that the people involved — the architects and students — no longer believed in. It’s subversive, it’s disruptive, and humor is used to devastating effect.”

Take the Tour

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View our Favorite Pieces

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