In 2006 I took a trip to Germany with the intention of enjoying the culture, food and of course the beer for which the country is famous for. I also planned to slip in some trips to Bauhaus historical sites as well as the Bauhaus Archive in Berlin. When I got there I was surprised by an exhibition of work by German designer Gunter Kupetz. I had never heard of him and I wasn't in a hurry so I took the time to wander around the exhibit. What I found was a fantastic body of work in metals, glass and plastic. It was a thrilling find and became a highlight of my trip. I decided that I would highlight him on my blog (kinda like I did with Charles Rohlfs) because someone else may find him interesting too. Maybe I'll make a habit of posting my favorites.
Gunter is likely most famous for Die Perlenflasche or The Pearl Bottle. He designed it in 1969 for the Mineral Springs Association as a returnable water bottle. During the 70's and 80's it was a everyday household item and since then is still in use today. It's become a part of German culture and is as recognizable there as the familiar Coca-Cola bottle is to us here in the United States. That speaks a bit to Gunter's philosophies on design.
"The aim of his work [industrial designer] is to create industrial products to serve society in both a cultural and social aspect." Gunter Kupetz-1960
Gunter produced alot of other great works as well. Unfortunately, you won't find much on the internet. At least I haven't. That's why I suggest that if you are intrigued by this that you do one of two things.
1. Ask me to write a larger bio of him complete with pics. (Good Luck)
2. Get on Amazon and buy his book! (Better Option, No I don't get a cut)
The book is fantastic and is a really comprehensive look at his entire body of work. To date I am still the only person who has written a review which is still there from 2006. I don't know if that's good or bad.
http://www.amazon.com/review/R32IEAQN4T5NAA/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
Check it out. In the meantime I leave you with this:
The industrial designer is an advocate of the people. It is amazing that the user or consumer is only indirectly involved in the decision process governing things he requires to satisfy his needs. So, in the first place, the designer is the user's or consumers advocate. But at the same time this makes him a product of the people. Everyone has his own yardstick. Everyone makes their own decision. The particular task of the designer is to anticipate the decisions which others will make as if they were his own.
Inaugural Lecture, Berlin Polytechnic of Arts, 1973
