Please read Laarman article just published in Modern Magazine
Mendini Proust Chair sells at Quittenbaum
‘Poltrona de Proust’, 1978
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 Dimensions: H. 108x 93,5 x 85 cm.Number of Parts: 1 Description: Alessandro Mendini. Unique ‘Poltrona di Proust’ chair, 1978. H. 108 x 93.5 x 85 cm. Made by Studio Alessandro Mendini, Milan, in 1996. Wooden construction, carved and handpainted. Fabric also handpainted. Inscribed: A. Mendini 96.Italian Furniture Design, S. 63f; Repertorio 1950-2000, Bd. 1, S. 261; 100 Masterpieces, S. 192f.The Chair has been handpainted by Alessandro’s daughter, Claudia Mendini, at the Mendini studio. A tear of 10 cm in the fabric to the back of the chair. The tear can be restored by Studio Mendini by request at the consignor’s expenses. |
Chapter:
Design Italy
STRONG AUCTION PRICES
Phillips Auction-London 9/24/2014
Ettore Sottsass, Jr.
Rare ceiling light, 1957
Painted aluminium, acrylic, nylon wire, brass.
67.5 x 63 x 54 cm (26 5/8 x 24 3/4 x 21 1/4 in.)
Manufactured by Arredoluce, Italy.
Estimate £24,000 – 28,000
Sold for £56,250
Konstantin Grcic Vitra Museum Exhibit
Recently visited Vitra Museum exhibit of Konstantin Gric. Was amazed at how prolific he has been.
Pesce Exhibition-Rome
Gaetano Pesce’s major retrospective of his almost 50 year career opened at the Maxxi Museum in Rome on 6/25/2014. Beautiful exhibition showing historical pieces as well as current. Don’t miss this show if you’re in Rome this summer.
American Modernist Jewelry Exhibition-Dallas Museum of Art
![[100] Art Smith Sterling Necklace copy](https://scoopondesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/100-Art-Smith-Sterling-Necklace-copy2.jpg)
“From the Village to Vogue:The Modernist Jewelry of Art Smith” is currently on view at the Dallas Museum of Art. Other jewelers of the period are included in the exhibition.
I believe “this area” of collecting is still EXTREMELY undervalued because the works are like miniature sculptures that you can wear and the jewelry is getting more and more difficult to find.
Harry Bertoia
Harry Bertoia was the head of the metalsmith department at Cranbrook Academy of Art from 1939-1943. He is well known for the famous “diamond” chair manufactured by Knoll. He also made beautiful sculptures. Less well known is the marvelous jewelry he made, one of my favorites is shown here.
This Necklace was made by Bertoia as a gift for Eliel Saarinen’s wife, Loja while Saarinen was president of the Cranbrook Academy of Art.
Check out the cover lot at Christie’s Auction 6/12/2014 for a wonderful Bertoia sculpture going up for sale.
Ettore Sottsass Book
Great new book on Ettore Sottsass written by Phillipe Thome and published by Phaidon press. Get it.
Artist Designed Jewelry
Artist Designed jewelry is one of the hottest collectibles in the design world right now. Many artists including Calder, Picasso, Jean Arp, Man Ray, Bertoia all designed and some even made the jewelry themselves. This is a Jean Arp pendant designed in 1965-66 and manufactured by Francois Hugo. This was made as an edition of 6 plus 2 artist proofs.
He took my breath away
Three times in my life have I been blown away by a designers work. Ettore Sottsass, Gaetano Pesce and now with Joris Laarman. I met Joris during his first exhibition of the Bone series at Design Miami 8 years ago. He had only created 2 prototypes at that time. I knew a star was born.