Absolutely not to be missed is the exhibition at DePadova on until 24 April, “Effetto Castiglioni” dedicated to models from Achille Castiglioni’s studio.
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He inherited his approach from his father Giannino Castiglioni, a painter and sculptor: “there is a lot of model making in my work, also because I am the son of a sculptor and I always saw my father working with his hands and shaping material into the desired form”.
There is also something of a mystery exhibit: two unknown models with no name or date. Visitors with any information that can throw light on them are invited to resolve the mystery.
Didi Gnocchi in collaboration with studio museo Achille Castiglioni, curates this exhibition of Achille Castiglioni’s work through models and experiments, never exhibited before.
‘mezzadro’ stool, prototype design by achille and pier giacomo castiglioni, 1957
The Castiglionis took familiar shapes and transformed them into some of today’s most sought after design icons. the brothers publicly cemented their commitment to redesigning objects, with their tractor seat stool called the ‘mezzadro’. it is made of four pieces: the seat, a large wing screw, a leaf spring and a cross bar.
The memory of Achille Castiglioni still lives in the objects and in the magical atmosphere of his sketches,
which Depadova invites you to come and see in this exhibition.
For the first time the models of exhibit designs and architectural projects by this great master. Twenty-three models stored until today at the Studio Museo Achille Castiglioni of the Triennale Design Museum will leave their cardboard boxes to narrate the expertise of Castiglioni, in a path that extends from the 1950s to 2000.
Not just an internationally acclaimed master of design, but also a creator of works of architecture, including temporary structures like stands and installations for fairs and exhibitions. Projects documented precisely at the crucial moment of the creative idea: the model.
To investigate the secret of the “Castiglioni Effect”, that magic that makes his installations, including the unforgettable designs for the windows of the showroom on Corso Venezia, still innovative, contemporary and unique today.
‘colors and forms in today’s living space’ exhibition at the Villa Olmo in 1957
Set in the context of a living room, the Castiglioni exhibition ‘colors and forms in today’s living space’ from 1957 showcased pieces of furniture, some of which were chosen for mass production while others were put into production later. the show also included work which were based on the forms of classic models such as wicker baskets, foldable chairs and armchairs.
Moreover, there were pieces made according to certain research criteria and which were used experimentally including a telephone stool, a metal seat on springs, a foam rubber armchair, a paper dividing screen, a TV set that could be raised or lowered, a lamp with a fluorescent bulb…
the castiglioni brothers
The scenographic attention paid to the room volume and the layout of the walls was planned in consideration of the visitors’ movements. the search for existing objects as visitors navigated through the exhibition was seen as a kind of design training and self-education.
Birgit Lohmann was born in Hamburg, Germany.
After completing her studies in Florence she moved to Milan, where she lives and works.
Since 1987 she has been working with De Padova on the development of products in the collection. At the same time she is working with Enzo Mari on a range of projects to develop porcelain for the German producer Koenigliche Porzellan Manufaktur (KPM) in Berlin.
Among the most important products she has designed there is the line of children’s furniture for Hänsel & G. and Interflex/Flou.
A historian, she has worked as a design expert for law courts and international auction houses.
She has conducted various seminars as Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design in a large number of prestigious European universities.
In 1999, with Massimo Mini, she founded the online magazine Designboom
depadova exhibition
