gio ponti – DesignApplause

luminaire welcomes cassina back to the family.

Sep 22, 2017

united in their guiding principles, luminaire and cassina share a belief that good design has the power to affect people’s lives. the pioneering design forces are joining again as luminaire welcomes cassina back into the family by offering their innovative range of products in the luminaire showrooms and online store. luminaire is pleased to reunite with cassina and looks forward to a future sharing and shaping the concept of good design.

with a collection that includes iconic pieces from the likes of le corbusier and charlotte perriand to new, progressive designs by visionaries including patricia urquiola, konstantin grcic, and ronan & erwan bouroullec, cassina demonstrates a thoughtful appreciation for its history while looking to the future. the prestigious brand was founded in 1927 in meda, italy by brothers cesare and umberto cassina who translated the rich tradition of furniture production and woodworking of the region into an industrialized system for manufacturing that redeﬁned the notion of contemporary italian design. for over 90 years, cassina has remained on the forefront of design thanks to its unwavering commitment to research, experimentation, and design expression.

cassina has distinguished itself by collaborating with a range of outside designers. since the mid ’50s, the company has engaged the talents of architects such as gio ponti, afra and tobia scarpa, mario bellini and vico magistretti for design collaborations. these designers redeﬁned the notion of what it meant to be contemporary with furniture by reinterpreting traditional form, function, and production. cassina has continued this modern union of designer and producer, melding a diverse range of products together with cohesion by imbuing each project with their design philosophy.

with an eye on the future, cassina has introduced new designers into its collection including zaha hadid, philippe starck, and its newly appointed art director, patricia urquiola. urquiola has established refreshing new designs with cassina like the floe insel, a versatile modular sofa inspired by icebergs with pieces working as “ﬂoating islands” that can be used together or separately for a combination of options situated in any living space.

luminaire and cassina have shared a long history in the pursuit of propagating good design. this reunion marks a welcome addition to the luminaire catalog that will see the two brands working together to create new ways of living for the future. for clients of luminaire, the addition of cassina provides another facet in creating dynamic environments made for living.

“cassina represents an important legacy of italian design. from their rich history, they continue to look to the future. we are excited for what lies ahead for cassina and their visionary impact on modern design.” said by luminaire ceo nasir kassamali

design miami/ 2015 celebrates the diversity of design.

Oct 21, 2015

As the market for collectible design continues to evolve and mature with each edition, Design Miami/ celebrates the full diversity of its field. With the 11th edition of Design Miami/ this December, the fair offers extraordinary works from galleries based on five continents that specialize in everything from classic early twentieth century design to the conceptual cutting edge. Work ranging from full-sized architectural elements to the most delicate jewelry, by designers from as far afield as the Philippines and Japan, South Africa and Brazil, will be on show under one roof at the global forum for design.

There’s a story behind every piece of great design/.

[ latin spirit/ ]

cangaço – bookstand/ fernando and humberto campana, 2015/ courtesy of campana studio and fernando laszlo/

Firma Casa, the first participating gallery from Brazil (São Paulo), offering a program that is notably strong in design from Latin America. The distinctive and innovative work of the Campana Brothers – Design Miami/ Designers of the Year in 2008 – are represented at both Firma Casa and Friedman Benda. A rare jacaranda wood bench by Modernist pioneer Joaquim Tenreiro is showing at R & Company. Cristina Grajales Gallery exhibits a spectacular coffee table by Gloria Cortina topped with golden obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass. ADN Galeria of Mexico participates in the Design Curio program with a project by the Mexico-based sculptor and furniture designer Eduardo Olbés.

[ design reborn/ ]

pair of lamps from villa arreaza, caracas/ gio ponti, 1954/ courtesy of casati gallery/

The scholarship, research and the preservation of historic works that are so important to the world of collectible design are aspects that are perhaps less visible to visitors to Design Miami/. A number of exhibitions at this year’s fair will put the spotlight on projects honoring design history. Galleria Rossella Colombari will recreate an interior in the style of Villa Planchart in Caracas designed by Giò Ponti, using colors and materials dear to the architect. Another apartment – this one from Milan, designed by Ponti’s protegé architect Attilio Colonello – will be recreated from historic drawings and photographs by Casati Gallery, in a scenography that will include a number of pieces from the original scheme.

[ personal connections/ ]

dining table for madeleine and jean prouvé/ pierre jeanneret, 1943/ marie clérin for laffanour – galerie downtown/

There’s a story behind every piece of great design, often one that reflects personal relationships, whether between a group of like-minded creative souls, friends and mentors, hard working duos, romantic partners, or siblings. One compelling personal connection central to the history of modern design is evoked in a piece presented this year by LAFFANOUR – Galerie Downtown: a table given to Jean Prouvé by Pierre Jeanneret in 1943, and which remained in use by Prouvé’s family at his house in Nancy, France. Family relationships are evoked in pieces by Xander Kriel, who created his Vos Altar in memory of his grandfather for Southern Guild, and by Wharton Esherick, who’s graceful sculptural form The Actress (1938/9), presented by Moderne Gallery, was inspired by his daughter Mary. Thomas Fritsch will present works by Verá Szekely, co-founder, with André Borderie and her husband Pierre Szekeley, of Borderie Szekeley, a trio that created work together until 1957.

[ monumental design/ ]

enignum xvi/ joseph walsh, 2015/ courtesy of the designer and sarah myerscough gallery/ photographer: andrew bradley

Large-scale design and architectural components continue to be a keenly anticipated highlight of the Design Miami/ program. Galerie Patrick Seguin will once again be sharing a work of pioneering mid-century modular architecture, in this case the only remaining example of Jean Prouvé’s 1939 baraque de campagne, a rapidly assembled 4 x 4m military hut. At Galerie Philippe Gravier, Kengo Kuma will present a small nomadic tearoom constructed from simple lightweight plastic materials and inspired by the humble, reclusive dwelling of the writer Kamo no Chōmei. Substantial works in wood by Wendell Castle will be on show at Friedman Benda, R & Company and Carpenters Workshop Gallery, in celebration of the American art-furniture pioneer’s equally monumental career. At Sarah Myerscough Gallery, a new generation of designers creating large, finely-crafted works in wood will be represented by Joseph Walsh. From a lighter perspective, first time gallery Orley Shabahang presents the durable, finely crafted silk rugs created by Haji Jalili in the late 19th century represent a highly portable form of monumental design. On the opposite side of the spectrum is the continuation of Naihan Li’s I Am A Monument series at Beijing-based Gallery ALL, which shrinks monumental architectural structures into playful functional pieces for the home.

[ simulacra/ ]

cardboard crown necklace/ david bielander, 2015/ courtesy of dirk eisel/

Playful and sometimes pointed references to familiar everyday objects infuse certain exhibitions at Design Miami/ with visual wit. Juxtaposing precious materials and functionality, Siegfried De Buck’s silver Praline Box (1993) is the ultimate vessel for Belgium’s prized chocolate confections, showing at Caroline Van Hoek. Fellow gold and silversmith David Bielander’s thin metal jewelry pieces at Ornamentum reference the simple cardboard crowns of childhood role-play. Another familiar childhood form – in this case a paper airplane – receives a nod in Karen Chekerdjian’s IQAR table for Carwan Gallery. Eric Serritella’s series of ceramic vessels crafted to resemble sections of weathered wood will receive its most ambitious addition yet in a new, larger, work inspired by the branches and bark of a birch tree can be viewed at Jason Jacques Inc. Wolfs + Jung’s ongoing Nature V2.01 explores the disconcerting contrast of apparently natural surfaces and manmade forms: ammann// gallery will be showing new works from the series including a teetering stool balancing on sticks cast in bronze and a rounded bronze vessel apparently clad in bark.

[ earthly matter/ ]

bodypart iii/ kristina riska, 2015/ courtesy of hostler burrows/

Echoing the burgeoning interest in clay as a sculptural medium over recent years, decorative ceramics remain a strong area of creative innovation at Design Miami/. The Finnish ceramicist Kristina Riska will show Bodypart III, a sculptural vessel of vast proportions and organic curvature at Hostler Burrows. Lee Hun Chung contrasts the glassy finish of ceramic glaze with the rough, stone-like surface of concrete in a low table at Seomi International. Patrick Parrish Gallery will show the first ceramic works of painter Guy Correiro.

[ sacred geometry/ ]

zig-zag chair/ gerrit thomas rietveld, 1934/ courtesy of galerie vivid

Geometric shapes occur both by natural and man-made design, the former often inspiring the latter. Ralph Bakker’s jewelry designs, coming to the fair with Antonella Villanova, are based on naturally occurring geometric patterns found in nature. Galerie VIVID presents geometry that changed the face of design in post World War I Europe in the form of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld’s Zig-Zag Chair. Brian Thoreen’s work, appearing at Patrick Parrish Gallery, demonstrates his passion for geometric forms that evolve from nature.

[ transparent and luminescent/ ]

light pods/ terrence main, 2015/ courtesy of magen h/

The technical challenges and diverse effects afforded by glass continue to inspire forms both ethereal and unexpected. At Galerie kreo Julie Richoz shows new works created with glass blowers at Marseilles’s legendary CIRVA (Centre International de Recherce sur le Verre et les Arts plastique). Kyoto-born designer Ritsue Mishima – represented by Pierre Marie Giraud – moved to Venice in 1989 to work alongside the city’s fabled glassblowers, deviating from Venetian tradition to create un-pigmented works. Commonplace Studio’s Lumière series marries blown glass to contemporary technology, illuminating each globe with projections of moving images in a ghostly tribute to the early days of cinema at Victor Hunt Designart Dealer. Terence Main’s branchlike Light Pods set budlike glass elements at the tips of cast aluminum twigs to create a ‘growing’ chandelier at Magen H. Gallery.

[ hard steel, soft leather/ ]

wave bench/ maria pergay, 1968/ courtesy of demisch danant/

The contrast of cold, hard metal with hide is one addressed in a multiplicity of ways at Design Miami/. The unyielding, cool lines of Maria Pergay’s stainless steel furnishings find soft contrast in their leather and hide upholstery. Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari make a more playful juxtaposition in the Body Building collection at Secondome, an ‘anti gym’ that takes formal inspiration from metal workout equipment, undercutting the hard edge with soft pink upholstery. Nanda Vigo’s fur is of the faux variety: at Erastudio Apartment-Gallery synthetic leopard skin covers her hybrid brass forms from 1971 that perform both as coat racks and lighting elements. The classic combination of hard steel face and soft leather straps appears in a number of the vintage watches with extraordinary provenance at the fair’s first watch gallery Le Collection’Heure.

[ Design Miami/ ] is the global forum for design. Each fair brings together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators and critics from around the world in celebration of design culture and commerce. Occurring alongside the Art Basel fairs in Miami, USA each December and Basel, Switzerland each June, Design Miami/ has become the premier venue for collecting, exhibiting, discussing and creating collectible design.

important design auction. wright.

Dec 11, 2014

nuage bibliothèque | charlotte perriand | ateliers jean prouvé for galerie steph simon | c. 1956

this is a great offering. important design is among wright’s most exclusive auctions of the year. the most celebrated designers of the 20th century are represented in this auction, including paul evans, charlotte perriand, ron arad, harry bertoia, george nakashima, pierre jeanneret, max ingrand and gio ponti.

highlights of the sale include a selection of designs by frank lloyd wright, such as a pair of lounge chairs from the clarence sondern house in kansas city, and a desk from the impertial hotel, tokyo. also outstanding in important design is a mesa coffee table designed by t.h. robsjohn-gibbings, a pair of prefacto chairs by pierre guariche, an iconic wonderlamp by verner panton, and a studio-made general motors firebird iii model designed by the legendary harley j. earl.

big easy volume 2 for 2 | ron arad | ron arad associates | 1989

welded front cabinets, pair | paul evans | paul evans studio | 1969

chandelier, model 1441 | max ingrand | fontana arte | c. 1954

grande compass table from the electricité de france, marcoule | jean prouvé | ateliers jean prouvé | c. 1954

nocturne radio, model 1186 | walter dorwin teague | sparton corporation | 1936

[ important design design ] includes many works of exceptional design. each item will be featured in our award-winning, full-color auction catalog as well as presented in our online preview at [ view lots ] | 1440 west hubbard street chicago | 312 563 0020 [ auction / chicago ]

auction > 11 december 2014 | 12 noon cst

design miami 2014. preview.

Nov 17, 2014

above> peter marino: design miami/ 2014 design visionary award winner

above> zaha hadid’s site-specific installation at design.05 miami / recent photo of the moore building

ten years ago, a small fair for collectible design named design.05 miami launched concurrently with art basel miami beach. located in the moore building in the miami design district, it offered a selection of fifteen invited exhibitors, with the stated aim of bringing museum-quality galleries together with the best collectors, connoisseurs, and designers from around the world in one of the premier destinations for art and design.

fast forward 10 years. rodman primack, executive director of design miami/ stated, “the fair grew out of the need for a consolidated marketplace that would act as a platform to showcase the range and strength of what was then a fledgling market.” adding, “since then, the collectible design market has really changed in scale; it’s internationalized and diversified, and this is reflected very clearly in the fair. design miami/ has changed the way galleries engage with their audiences. i am excited to see this ecosystem bringing so many distinct viewpoints and aesthetics together.”

above> a rare photo (designapplause can never get him to pose) of muecke with a model of the pavilion concept

[ pavilion commission ]
minneapolis-based designer jonathan muecke has been commissioned to create the pavilion for the tenth anniversary of design miami/.

the design miami/ pavilion commission has become an important feature of the fair. an ephemeral extension of the fair space itself, the pavilion is at once an exhibit and a piece of functional temporary architecture. while the commission is traditionally given to an early career architect or studio, for its tenth anniversary design miami/ has selected a designer whose practice reflects the multifaceted nature of the fair itself.

alexandra cunningham cameron, creative director at design miami/ commented, “for our tenth anniversary, we wanted to pay homage to the type of young designer that design miami/ wishes to champion – one who experiments with materials, form and scale; who is as much a theorist as a maker; and who challenges us to consider how we relate to the world built around us.”

muecke studied architecture at iowa state, interning at the architectural office of herzog & de meuron in basel, switzerland before studying design at the cranbrook academy of art. muecke has evolved a design practice that resists standard divisions between design, art and architecture, instead focusing on refined forms that investigate notions of positive and negative space that relate to humanscale.

centered around a double-layered circular structure with apertures at both poles, muecke’s design miami pavilion (dmp) is designed on a human scale, rejecting monumentality in favor of lightness and variability.

above> in a not so rare photo of peter marino in leather on metal on leather. a leather vest pricked all over with metal studs, leather wrist guards with metal spikes, a leather hat with a metal skull, a strand of leather hanging from his neck which holds some metal knives, leather belt, metal belt buckle, metal knuckles with skulls, leather pants, leather boots. all the leather is always black.

[ new initiatives ]
design miami/ is launching two new forward-looking initiatives this year: the exhibition strand design curio, and the design visionary award.

conceived as contemporary ‘cabinets of curiosity’, the four independently curated design curio booths scattered throughout the fair will take the widest possible view of design practice. they will go beyond the scope of collectibledesign to embrace diverse fields from science and technology, to handcraft,and from unrealized prototypes to esoteric collections.

[ design visionary ]
the inaugural design visionary award recognizes peter marino. with this award, design miami/ recognizes marino for his achievements as an architect, for his knowledge and status as a collector of design, art and the decorative arts, and for the impact he has had as an advisor on contemporary and twentieth century design to his numerous clients.

commenting on the first edition of this award, primack stated, “this award is about recognizing the figures that have really propelled the world of design in the broader sense. peter is a great talent, and is also an amazing patron of others’ talents. his knowledge of furniture, his ability to create collections in design and his work with leading brands to help them understand the importance of bringing design voices into their world have substantially impacted the market and the language of design”.

marino founded his eponymous architecture, planning and design studio in new york in 1978 having trained with i. m. pei and george nelson. early clients included andy warhol, yves saint laurent and pierre bergé, and gianni and marella agnelli.

[ 2014 exhibitors ]
ammann gallery – cologne
antonella villanova – florence
caroline van hoek – brussels
carpenters workshop gallery – london & paris
carwan gallery – beirut
casati gallery -chicago
cristina grajales gallery – new york
demisch danant – new york
edward cella art + architecture – los angeles
erastudio & apartment-gallery – milan
galerie jacques lacoste – paris
galerie kreo – paris
galerie maria wettergren – paris
galerie pascal cuisinier – paris
galerie patrick seguin – paris
galerie vivid – rotterdam
galleria o. – rome
gallery diet – miami
gallery seomi – seoul & los angeles
hostler burrows – new york
jason jacques inc. – new york johnson trading gallery – new york
jousse entreprise – paris
laffanour – galerie downtown – paris
louisa guinness gallery – london
magen h gallery – new york
moderne gallery – philadelphia
nilufar gallery – milan
ornamentum – hudson
pierre marie giraud – brussels
priveekollektie contemporary art + design – heusden aan de maas
r & company – new york
southern guild – cape town
victor hunt design art dealer – brussels
volume gallery – chicago

[ special exhibitions ]
of the 35 galleries at design miami/ 2014 11 are among those that participated in the first year of the fair in 2005. several of these founding galleries present special exhibitions that celebrate the growth of the collectible design market over the past decade. these include a display dedicated to public commissions in france from the 1960s and 70s from demisch danant; an exhibition on the functional, durable furniture created for universities by charlotte perriand, jean prouvé and le corbusier from galerie patrick seguin; a monograph on rick kauffman’s new york art et industrie gallery and the creative crossover surrounding it from magen h gallery, and newly commissioned works debuting at the fair with cristina grajales gallery, galerie kreo, r & company and nilufar.

[ special commissions ]
design miami/ 2014 features a significant number of special commissions, including works in glass, stone and acrylic. ammann//gallery presents the sakala vase by satyendra pakhalé, his first work in blown murano glass; galerie vivid presents commissioned works by finnish-born designer janne kyttanen, which take the designer’s 3d printed aluminum sedona bench as their point of departure; max lamb creates a granite lamp for johnson trading gallery made over six days using stitch drilling, and jeweler ted noten unveils a table – his first foray into furniture – at ornamentum.

[ a bronze age ]
it may have associations with the earliest days of human craft, but bronze is very much the material of the moment at design miami/. from artist jewelry to monumental decorative works, via furniture and lighting, the cast metal is deployed across multiple formats at this year’s fair. casati gallery introduces the work of chicago-based designer steven haulenbeek with a collection of bronze mirrors, furniture, lights and objects all distinguished by the ‘chaotic texture’ produced by casting in ice. carwan gallery debuts furniture pieces combining bronze, onyx, mother of pearl, resins, fine inlaid wood and silver-plated brass by italian architect vincenzo de cotiis. carpenters workshop gallery shows a new collection of iconoclastic architectural-themed bronzes from studio job; and new furniture pieces and jewelry by claude lalanne are exhibited by louisa guinness gallery.

[ cabinets of curiosity ]
spanning the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, design curio/ presents four immersive environments of objects, textures, artifacts and ideas that truly challenge and contextualize familiar design narratives. this first edition, in celebration of the fair’s 10th anniversary, emphasizes surprising installations of scientific research alongside handcraft and creative production. these include oceanic art and design endeavor coral morphologic’s blue room, offering a coral-eye view of miami’s aquatic waterscapes; beijing’s gallery all presenting naihan li’s latest installation from her i am a monument series, recreating beijing’s cityscape to a scale of 1:100 with billowing smog rising amongst buildings reimagined as furniture pieces. koenig & clinton and joe sheftel gallery partner to present a collection of sottsass objects interacting with works by the memphis group in a jewel-box space; patrick parrish gallery invites visitors to experience the vertiginous grid-based exhibition: surfaces on which your setting and sitting will be uncertain, displaying a group of sculptural furniture objects by ro/lu with matching clothing designs by various projects.

event> design miami/ 2014 @designmiami #designmiami
dates> 3 – 7 december 2014
venue> meridian & 19th street miami beach, usa
december 3-4/ 10am-8pm
december 5/ 11am-8pm
december 6/ 12-8pm
december 7/ 12-6pm

design / 23 oct 2014 11a cst. wright.

Oct 15, 2014

above> rare bowl chair | lina bo bardi | 1951

auction > 23 oct 2014 | 11a CST

This October Wright presents an exciting selection of modern works by some of the 20th century’s most renowned designers including notable works by Alexander Girard, Paul Evans, Gio Ponti and Ettore Sottsass, to name a few. Single owner collections stand prominently in this auction with remarkable works from the design collection of the pioneering dealers, Full House and an exceptional group of ESUs by Charles and Ray Eames from the original owner. Finally, the sale features more than twenty lots designed by Tommi Parzinger for the Appleman Commission in 1956. Parzinger thoughtfully designed every detail of the Appleman interior and the collection includes lighting, tables, and seating along with specially designed door hardware and construction drawings from the project.

prototype scarica elettrica table lamp | lapo binazzi | 1973 / 1985

chair from the mobili nella valle series | mario ceroli | poltronova | 1972

faceted cabinet | paul evans | paul evans studio | 1965

rare daybed | kho liang ie | artifort | c. 1959 / 1960

muren ljusblå flatweave carpet | marianne richter | märta måås- fjetter- ström | 1971

dining set | warren platner | knoll | 1966

pair of committe armchairs | pierre jeanneret | c. 1953

sasso vase | antonio da ros | cenedese | 1959

svincolo lamp from the bauhaus collection | ettore sottsass | studio alchimia | 1979

[ design ] includes nearly 250 works of exceptional design. Each item will be featured in our award-winning, full-color auction catalog as well as presented in our online preview at [ View lots ] | 1440 West Hubbard Street Chicago | 312 563 0020
[ auction / chicago ] preview / chicago || 16 – 23 October 2014 | 10a > 5p monday > saturday | sunday by appointment

auction > 23 oct 2014 | 11a CST

interni 60th anniversary charity auction. closes 13 june 2014.

Jun 5, 2014

auction ends 13 june 2014

[ INTERNI magazine ] is celebrating its 60th anniversary and 60 years of Italian Design with an online charity auction. The anniversary is in collaboration with six renowned Italian brands in the fields of accessories, living and lighting including: Alessi, Cappellini, Cassina, Flos, Kartell, and Poltrona Frau. Each company created a special limited-edition of one of its most iconic products, made with a unique finish, and only available through INTERNI’s online benefit auction to benefit the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. Auction ends 13 June 2014.

[ alessi ] presents Noè, set of 6 champagne cork pincers made of 18/10 stainless steel and hand gold plating in 24 carat gold designed by Giulio Iacchetti. The champagne cork opener from the “Noè” series shape is inspired by the outline of a bottle. Produced in AISI 630 steel that is cast in a shell with the lost-wax process and then polished, Giulio Iacchetti’s cork opener features cutters on top, allowing you to cut the metal cage that secures the cork. You can then release the cork using the tool to make expulsion easier. The cork opener comes in special packaging developed for the Objets-Bijoux featured in the Alessi catalogue.

[ cappellini ] presents the Embryo Chair, design Marc Newson (1988), padded and covered with a special bi-elastic red fabric. Embryo Chair, armchair with three legs and metal structure is one of Marc Newson’s first design projects and it is proposed in an unusual red fabric. This product is one of the most significant works by the Australian designer. Embryo Chair is part of the permanent collections of Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg (Germany), Museum of Modern Art San Francisco (USA).

[ cassina ] presents 699 Superleggera chairs (set of 2), design Gio Ponti (1957 – 2013 special edition) in matte grey lacquer finish structure and upholstery fabric from the Gio Ponti collection (Rubelli).
Based on the Ligurian tradition of the Chiavari chair, the Superleggera marks a high point in the research of Gio Ponti and of the skill and ability of experimentation and craftsmanship of Cassina and its artisans. Progressive lightening of the structure and alterations to the form of the uprights, with respect to the first version, the Leggera of 1952, led in 1957 to a solution marked by a perfect balance between solidity and lightness. “Creating the Superleggera – Gio Ponti said – I have applied an eternal technical process, that strives to move from weight to lightness. By subtracting – inert matter and weight, finding of the form with the structure, wisely and without virtuoso gestures, respecting utility and the ‘exact solidity.’

[ flos ] presents the set of 2 String Light lamps, design Michael Anastassiades (2014) in a conical version with wallrose, white finish and decoration by American artist Shantell Martin. «Every time I take the train, I sit by the window and watch the series of perfectly parallel strings connecting the pylons, as we move at high speed. I love the way they divide the landscape and how spheres are occasionally beaded through the wires at random intervals. I also love how, in Mediterranean cultures, strings of lights are stretched between posts to mark an outdoor space for an evening party in a village square. And finally, I love how human ingenuity works around problems created by everyday things in the house (like switches and power points) that others have chosen to position where we don’t want them.» This is how Michael Anastassiades, a Cypriot designer based in London and born in 1967, describes the Spring Lights ceiling lamp. A system of tensors gives volume and three-dimensionality to the form outlined by this lightweight cord that plays with space. Light source: 1 LED Array 2700K – 1980 lm total – CRI90 – 25W, dimmer regulation through Bluetooth Android and Apple application.

[ kartell ] presents the Bourgie table lamp, design Ferruccio Laviani (2004), one-off metal finish in tones of gold, silver and copper. Ten years after its debut, the Bourgie table lamp has become a genuine bestseller, a transverse, eclectic object that fits into a wide range of decor styles. In this tenth anniversary year, the lamp has been made with a special one-off metal finish, becoming part of the “Precious Kartell” collection. The three parts of the structure are colored in gold, silver and copper, topped by the large copper-color shade, in one of this season’s hottest hues.

[ poltrona frau ] presents the Juliet armchair and pouf, design Benjamin Hubert (2012) in a special Nest-category leather and crimp stitching in the inner part of the seat and back. Juliet is the armchair that symbolizes Poltrona Frau’s one hundredth anniversary, winner of the design contest held by the company to celebrate this important event between twelve talented designers from all over the world. With an invitation and a challenge: to project the brand values into the future, and to do so now. The structure is created from solid beech and birch plywood. Upholstery is in Pelle Frau leather and further embellished by an innovative crimp stitching in the interior part of the seat and backrest.

what> INTERNI 60th anniversary online auction
when> may 19 > 13 june 2014
where>: auction details

Living contemporary auction. Wright.

Sep 24, 2013

amsterdam clown (from Circus series) | karel appel 1921>2006 | 1978

Living Contemporary, Wright’s unique mix of art and design, has become a staple of our auction season. This fall’s sale features and wide-ranging selection of art including sculptures by John Henry, Karel Appel, Henry Moore and Clement Meadmore, paintings by Ed Paschke and Robert Herrmann and prints by Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselmann and Roy Lichtenstein. Designs by John Vesey, Charles Hollis Jones, Robert Venturi, Gio Ponti, George Nelson & Associates and Milo Baughman and many others make this Living Contemporary auction a sale that is not to be missed.

tee console | j. wade. beam | brueton | c. 1985

collection of sixteen krenit bowls and two servers | herbert krenchel | torben orskov | 1953

banquete chair | fernando and humberto campana | 2002

[ preview ] 19 > 25 september 10am > 5pm
[ auction ] 26 september 2013 | noon CST
[ wright ] 1440 west hubbard chicago | T 312 563 0020

The ICFF and attendant events. ICFF 2013.

May 20, 2013

Really doing one of these shows decently is a matter of putting some hours of thought into it alas.

Many of the firms showing at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair also have showrooms in SoHo or other areas downtown from its site, the Javits Convention Center. But while Vitra, Artek and many others chose to take space at the fair as well, American stalwarts Herman Miller and Knoll were not to be found. Such absences suggest that despite some 600 attendees, the fair celebrating its twentieth fifth anniversary is somehow still not yet mandatory attendance.

The ICFF and attendant events all over town were packaged this year as NYC X Design, which meant official city support for the idea of a design week promoted in previous years. The idea of a Milano Manhattan style remains elusive however.

parabola chair | carlo aiello | 2013

Even before the show opened, Carlo Aiello’s Parabola chair has emerged as the ICFF’s star: it suggests a cerebral cousion of Harry Bertoia’s diamond chair, mapping out the space time continuum for Star Trek. Or is it Mr. Spock’s shopping cart?

At ICFF, Molo’s stand, all of brown paper, caught attention. Inside were some of the company’s cloudlike, pleated paper lighting elements.

In an era dedicated to innovation, the classics face a challenge in mixing novelty with durability… Artek offered up new editions of its Aalto stool, much as Converse keeps producing new graphics for the Chuck Taylor All-Star. Carl Hanson celebrated the anniversary of the Wegner Shell chair with new fabrics. (Wegner is 93, the chair is 50.)

stool 60 | mike meiré | 2012

In addition to ICFF, several smaller gatherings and many open houses, parties and panels were part of the event.

Wanted 2013 is the name of a rival gathering of designers in the huge, solidly build brick warehouse downtown near the river called rather ominously Terminal Stores. It showed a more experimental and informal air than ICFF.

Intramuros magazine showcased a homage to Cappellini, who would otherwise be expected on the floor of ICFF at the Javits Center. Bright red examples of Cappellini products sat isolated silver lined booths with a vaguely pornographic mood to them. The Istanbul and South American delegations were impressive.

hai lounge chair | luco nichetto | one nordic furniture company | 2013

Some eyes were caught by One Nordic Furniture Company, from Helsinki, with its lovable Bento chair. Also at Nordic was Luca Nichetto’s Hai chair, which channeled the spirit of Gio Ponti. (Ponti, was also evoked at Vitra, with the Repos wing back chair by Antonio Citterio. Ponti also seemed an inspiration for Toshiyuki Kita’s “@” chair for Ligne Roset. Gio Ponti is the subject of a show to come this spring [ Living “Alla Ponti” ] at Molteni in SoHo.

In this, its second year, it hosted talks and such events as the School of Visual Arts Products of Design program’s meta design interpretation of the show. (url.)

pixel chair | valerie chin | 2013

There was student work, as at ICFF. The Rhode Island School of Design dispatched the alumni show originally curated by its chief, John Maeda, for the Milan fair. One witty example was Valerie Chin’s “Pixel” chair.

The curatorial group Sight Unseen produced a showcase at The Standard Hotel. This year, the American Design Club returns to Noho with its ninth group showcase, entitled Trophy: Awards We Live With. The group’s organizers explain: “A trophy is a memento, token, or symbol, used to commemorate an achievement or victory. Whether they are awarded, stolen, or created, trophy objects can come in many forms.”

<a href="about phil patton

The masters: jean nouvel project. Milan 2013.

Apr 28, 2013

French designer Jean Nouvel tells an intriguing story with his Office for Living Project. 30 years from now if we look back at today’s office we will be stunned to find them — unlivable. In this installation there are several components. One is ‘il maestro’ a tribute to the masters amid a rejection of corporate environments.

standard desk, metropole chair n 308 | jean prouvé | 1943/50

Luminaire(x) chicago design concept shop. 22feb13.

Feb 22, 2013

click > enlarge

If you live in the Chicago metro area and you appreciate good design and a good thing, listen up. Nasir Kassamali, founder of Luminaire has created something very special. He has converted the second floor of Luminaire to accomodate, many one-of-a-kind (very rare), objects that he has had warehoused. He did it five years ago in Miami. Now until mid-May, or as long as the items last, this temporary concept shop is waiting for you.

Superleggera Chair | Gio Ponti | Cassina | 1957
Inspired by the traditional Chiavari chairs Ponti had seen at the Italian seaside, the design was meant to be so strong and so light that a child could lift it up with one finger. A child can. It’s a remarkably simple design that gains it’s appeal from it razor thin looks, and its ability to go from modest to high fashion when dressed up in color. Very rare, one left.

Puma MY-21Mid Shoe | Yashuhiro Mihara | Puma
Fusing streetwear with surfwear, Japanese designer Yashuhiro Mihara has created a line for Puma which reflects the future of urban chic. Features mesh for breathability and vinyl for an unexpected touch.

Vision | Karel Boonzaaijer and Pierre Mazairac | Pastoe | 1985
Vision (nightstands) was designed from the philosophy that a cabinet composition should be part of the total room architecture. The basis of Vision is a single cube without handles, completely mitred, and in different depths, heights and widths. Fronts close using a push-touch system. A single form yields endless variations of volume, colour and line composition. The possibilities for compositions are unlimited; from a three-dimensional relief to a graphic grid of line and flat planes, from a series of sideboards to an architectonic landscape of volumes, from wall-mounted object to wall component. Very rare, one left.

Love Letter | Castiglioni | Molo
The lamp base is the part removed from the marble base of the Arco Lamp (1962) by Flos. The “letter” itself is a light source, consisting of a bi-directional electroluminescent film that gives off light from both sides and has a surface that you can white on with a dry erase marker (or something more permanent if you are feeling committed!). The quality of light is soft, similar to candle light – just enough to keep you company. Castiglioni utilized many readily available parts to create his designs and that is reflected in this lamp by Molo. Very rare, one left.

Chicago fashion designer Andrea Reynders.

Chicago fashion designer Anke Loh.