‘Son of Apocalypse’ Marches On : L.A. Designers Take the Lead in a Whimsical Revolution

In the past year there’s been a renaissance in furniture design in Los Angeles. Local artists and architects, using both traditional and new techniques and materials, have created one-of-a-kind chairs, tables and cabinets.

The movement is spearheaded by Larry Whiteley, whose Whiteley Gallery on La Brea Avenue in West Hollywood has been the site of two critically praised shows.

Whiteley and his gallery ordinarily deal in American folk art and 20th-Century architectural furniture, but in this case his exhibits were inspired by the success of the Milan-based Memphis group, the post-modern architecture movement that was the talk of the design world in 1983 and 1984. After considering more than 700 designs, Whiteley opened his first show of 24 pieces a year ago, calling it “L.A. Apocalypse.” Last spring Whiteley and many of the same artists opened a second show, “Son of L.A. Apocalypse.” A third is planned for spring. Herewith, eight of the artists and their designs from the most recent show.