Plastic Dalù lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti, Artemide, Italy, 1960s

Description

Plastic Dalù lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti, Artemide, Italy, 1960s

A rare table lamp designed by Vico Magistretti for the Italian manufacturer Artemide in the 1960s. The lamp is made of red plastic. Dalù is one of the finest designs to reflect the raw style of the great artist, who saw design as the only way to connect with others – and thus placed beauty and everyday use on the same level.

Vico Magistretti was born in Milan. He attended Parini High School before beginning his studies at the Faculty of Architecture of the Regio Politecnico in Milan in the autumn of 1939. In 1943-1944, he moved to Switzerland, where he attended several academic courses at the Champ Universitaire Italien in Lausanne. It was there that he spent time with Ernesto Nathan Rogers, who had a key influence on his intellectual education. In 1945, he returned to Milan, where he graduated from the Polytechnic’s Faculty of Architecture. He immediately began working for his father’s firm, architect Piergiulio Magistretti, on Via Conservatorio. The 1950s were a very busy and productive period for the young architect, who came up with many innovative ideas and quickly became one of the foremost representatives of the third generation. Over the next few years, he worked as a designer and architect, creating furniture and objects that would become classics of modern design. It was during this period that he also received the Golden Compass for the Eclisse lamp (1967). Shortly afterwards, he began collaborating with important companies such as Artemide, Campeggi, Cassina, De Padova, Flou, Fontana Arte, Fritz Hansen, Kartell, Olivari, Oluce, Poggi, Schiffini Mobili Cucine and Gebrüder Thonet Vienna. His design work is held in the permanent collection of MoMA – the Museum of Modern Art in New York – as well as in many other museums in America and Europe. In the field of architecture, it is worth mentioning his appointment as an honorary member of the Royal College of Art in London, where he was also a visiting professor. He also took part in exhibitions and conferences throughout Europe, Japan and the USA.

Founded in the 1960s, Artemide is one of the world’s best-known lighting brands. Known for its The Human Light philosophy, the company can boast outstanding achievements in lighting design and innovation. Over the years, the company has filed numerous patents for inventions aimed at developing innovative technological, mechanical and optoelectronic solutions. Artemide has contributed to the history of international design with products such as Eclisse (designed by Vico Magistretti), Tolomeo (designed by Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina), Pipe (designed by Herzog & De Meuron) and the IN-EI Collection by Issey Miyake, all showcased at the Compasso D’oro Awards. Artemide lamps are internationally recognised as icons of contemporary design and are exhibited in most museums with contemporary art and design collections.

The lamp is in original vintage condition. It has its original Italian plug, which can be converted or used with an adapter.