FUTURO. Satellit 9. Counterculture Cazal Eyewear meets American Hip Hop

Eyeglasses by German manufacturer Cazal were considered a sought-after accessory in New York’s Hip-Hop culture of the 1980s. Founded in 1975 by Günter Böttcher and designer Cari Zalloni, the label focused on frames characterized by an unusual, architectural design, high-quality workmanship and practical features like good ventilation. Cazal eyewear attracted attention with striking lines, real gold-plating and the prominent positioning of screws as ornamental elements. The design followed Zalloni’s credo "Cazal eyewear must be recognizable from across the street." It came as a surprise to the manufacturer that these glasses became a coveted lifestyle accessory in the emerging Hip-Hop culture of South Bronx, New York. Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum is devoting a studio exhibition to this unusual synthesis in the FUTURO House in front of Pinakothek der Moderne.