Maybe this is more of a question to myself...what item or concept do you believe has passed from iconic to cliche? A friend of mine recently criticized me for wanting to buy a womb chair, for that very reason. Any thoughts? What do you consider to be past the point of interesting?
I am not sure an Icon can cease being an icon and become a cliche...
as I understand the meaning of these words.
Definition 4 in Merriam Webster Online applies to icon as meant here: emblem, symbolDefinition 3 in Merriam Webster Online applies to cliche, as meant here: something (as a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplace
Icons, almost by their nature, seem not to be too familiar or commonplace.
Certainly copies of and homages to icons might become too familiar or common place.
And I suppose an icon could occassaionally become both an icon AND a cliche. I guess if most every one has a womb chair it could become too familiar, but it would not cease to be an icon.
Hm.
I think the cliche is in how they are used, like in overstock.com and kitty litter commercials on tv. The message is that hip people shop on overstock.com and use whatever brand of kitty litter. Bleh.
I also think it's kinda cliche to have a houseful of iconic pieces. But maybe that's just me.
You could make an argument that
an icon is also a cliche.
Case in point, Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Chair is both an icon and a cliche example of the International Style.
Same goes with the Saarinen Tulip or Pedestal Group....both iconic and cliches.
Both arew iconic designs and both have been copied, knockoffed and are stereotype examples of modern design.
I seldom consider anything I consider silly, ugly, or inappropriate (design-wise) to be a cliche (you know what I mean; furniture that's impossible to use, assemble or maintain)
The Eames 670, Nelson slat...
The Eames 670, Nelson slat bench and Noguchi coffee table have all definitely become "overly commonplace." They're great designs obviously, but they're just so boring to own (I'd say that owning them, risks making you a cliche...)
Designs on the verge, for me, would include the Womb Chair and the Diamond Chair. Also Eames ESUs...
Well, I'd agree on a micro le...
Well, I'd agree on a micro level. In other words, cliched on this list, to this audience...some pieces are darlings in slick advertising, but that's the way it goes with anything easily likable. Like, say, the Beatles. Or Levis.
For what it's worth, I have never personally known or met anyone who had an ESU in their home or office. There is not a glut of this stuff out there, at least from what I can tell. When looking through hundreds of housing listings recently, of the numerous furnished homes I saw, not one was furnished with anything remotely modern -- even the most popular pieces. Some stuff vaguely hinting at some classics, but barely even that.
In the end I say, addressing the the original poster, that the variations on any theme are finite...there's just only so much that can be done with the chair.
When I bought for my new "old" house,
I avoided many 'classic icons' that are a bit too 'obvious' choices. Since I like them all (670 lounge chair, Noguchi coffee table), I don't think of them as cliche, thought I see the argument.
Instead of the 670, I got a Saarinen Grasshopper and ottoman
Instead of the Noguchi table, I got a Nelson round low table
However, although I didn't want a nelson bench, I got the chance to buy two slightly distressed, but otherwise new 72" benches - in Herman Miller boxes - for less than $200.00 each and they look beautiful underneath my two front bay windows!
I'm of the opinion that all of the most famous and obvious design classics deserve their reputation...it's just down to personal taste. I tend to prefer more variety in my life (which was why I jumped on the chance on buying an Aalto Zebra-print tank chair at 1/2 of the going price because it was a floor model. I wasn't looking for it, but the price was right and it was a delicious accidental option!)
Rather than comparing icons to cliches, I tend to not want to live with some of the more 'precious', fragile examples of great design. Lightweight flimsy side chairs don't turn me, and i'm not a fan of the splayed legs style of, for example, the Kjaerholm chairs. I also don't want anything that requires heavy maintenance (like a string chair, for example).
I wanted sturdy higher-end originals or current production classics that I have always admired and never thought I could ever afford!
Icon or Cliche - who cares?
I love the Eames. I have numerous examples of their pieces and I love each and every one of them.
If I were able to afford it I would own a 670/671 and I wouldnt care if its a cliche or not. Personally I LOVE the chair. I like the look, the feel, and the stories behind it - that to me is what makes it worth owning. The fact that it is 'popular' doesnt factor into the decision. I would never own a Barcelona, for example, because I just dont think they are that comfortable.
The same decision making process goes for most of the furnishings in my home, the clothes I wear, and the music I listen to.
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