Racist?
Actually I didnt "just google" a picture of a Chinese factory. I pulled a photo from a Flickr Photostream, posted by a dealer, who was showing how the knock-off pieces he sells are made. Follow the link below.
And I love how easily you deflect the argument: because I disagree I'm a racist. Just because China can make things of quality, and even though some reputable dealers make things there doesn't excuse their lack of human-rights/environmental/economic safe-guards. It is something every industrialized country must deal with, the US included. As a country we also had children working in textile mills for 80 hours a week. We, as a country, have evolved past that. China has yet to do so.
You asked what the difference between the Noguchi and the Tribeca was: I think thats a pretty big freakin difference between the two products.
(and, btw, I don't have a flatscreen, so there 😛 )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bitbiz/sets/1446281/
Capitalism -- History repeats itself
So the sweatshops have moved from the US to China. Is that progress? China may be a few years "behind" with respect to industrialization. I still don't think you can primarily blame "China" (whatever that means... the country, the people, or even the government) for the current state of affairs. It is the US-based and multinational corporations that have perpetuated and exploited capitalism inappropriately, outsourcing parts and labor to "third world" countries. In that perspective, knock-off factories and vendors selling knock-offs are doing nothing "wrong". They are simply following the model that has been set before them.
I wonder what will happen once China "catches up"... What's next, Africa? (oh yeah, that's not a country... 😮 )
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In regard to the topic at hand (contemporary production of modern designs), I believe the argument largely boils down to branding and the presumption / expectation / hope that the original manufacturers would stay most true to spirit of the original design, designer, and manufacturing process, while making thoughtful improvements when deemed appropriate (e.g. Knoll Bertoia wire chairs, or building a factory that is more environmentally conscious).
Do
consumers (what a loaded word) in the developed nations not recognize that their "needs" are what drive most of the economic activity in their own countries, and in much of the rest of the world now as well ?
Do we not see that "collecting" is a highly optional human activity -- perhaps thought to be an essential part of our daily life, but in fact not nearly as essential to us as is food and shelter to any person, wealthy or dirt-poor ?
Consumers -- what a lofty life-goal that word implies !
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Probably straying a bit here but I've allways been a regionalist and I think its a good approach. Any area, cultural or just geographical has its own unique resources both human and material and its something the people who live in those areas should be proud of and exploit responsibly. From Welsh slate to Finnish forests to Chinese silk, Tasmanian veneers and South African diamonds. Within a 200km radius of where I live some of the best sandstone and granite is available, it is 'cheaper' to ship these monstorous slabs of granite from China than it is to stand on our own feet and be proud of what we have. China might 'win' but I consider myself a patriot (in a quiet sort of way) and I know that we lose.
Everyone - I'm sorry to have...
Everyone - I'm sorry to have posted a topic that has led people down the path of venom and hatred. We're merely here to sell furniture to people based on their wants and needs given how much they can afford. We respect people's opinions and try our hardest to make our customers' experience a good one and to provide high quality products.
Again, I'm sorry to have brought up a topic that people can not discuss in a civil manner...
- Mike
SDR
You wrote, "How do you know they aren't perfect reproductions ? Yes, I'm the first one to decry the pollution of history by inaccurate copies of furniture or any other historic design item."
I have not seen Mike's products in person, so all I have to go by is the photos on his website. The links he provided have been taken down, so I'll post some select images from them. Tell me, based on these pictures, do they look accurate or of high quality to you?
I looked at --- Furniture...
I looked at --- Furniture and they are pretty clearly stating that the products they sell are reproductions. I don't see them stating anywhere that they are originals. I would have to imagine their customers know they are reproductions...they probably like the design but don't want to pay exorbitant amounts for the originals. I don't find anything wrong with this. This is a lot different than some street vendor in New York selling a Gucci bag or some designer product under the guise of it being authentic.
Mike
Don't play the victim. You brought up a topic and in your very first post acknowledged that it would be a contentious issue. You can't have dealt in the knock-off business for any amount of time and expect that people will just suddenly change their minds.
And, for the most part, the postings here have maintained a level of civility. The one about being a venal scumbag parasite was a wee bit harsh, but there had to be one or two...
Well, again, we do not sell a...
Well, again, we do not sell any of our reproduction products under the false pretense that they are authentic. Our customers are aware of this and come to us knowing that they like the designs and don't want to spend the money for a high priced "original".
I have to say, if those...
I have to say, if those images are indeed from Mike's store, they are really really bad. I would not put them in the repro category at all ... more in line with cheap knockoff.
Mike, didn't you say something along the lines of what is the difference so long as the quality is there?
You cannot pass this stuff off as being the quality of an original. It really is just weirdly proportioned knockoffs. They almost seem cartoonish.
This was a terrible place to post your work. The people here care about design like it's a family member. I would not want you creating what is supposed to be a still life painting of my mother, only to make her look hideous.
The problem with selling this stuff, besides the obvious ethical reasons, is that is sends the wrong message to people who are not educated in design. It really is a bastardization of a historically significant movement.
re: quality - It seems to me...
re: quality - It seems to me that it's hard to knock a company for having bad quality products when you have never purchased from them or heard of people that have purchased from them. We have commercial customers (i.e., restaurants, lounges, commercial interior designers) that have had our furniture for over 8 years and are still using them. We stand behind our quality and if we were ever to have an issue with quality we would immediately replace them for our customers.
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