Fanantique - Art and Antiques

Verner Panton was born in Denmark in 1926 and got a diploma in architecture. At the beginning of his career, he worked as an assistant of Arne Jacobsen before opening his own studio in 1955. Quickly he created non conformist pieces of furniture such as the K1 Cone chair. The most famous creation remains the Panton chair created from one piece of plastic that he realized in the 1960's, still produced today by Vitra, and seen as a technically and aesthetically sophisticated concept. Along his career, he created flowing, stunning plastic forms, futuristic creations, and was considered as the most controversial designer in Denmark. He died in 1998. To see the object of Verner Panton, click here

Pierre Paulin was born in Paris in 1927, he created his first chairs for Thonet and realized in the meantime his most innovative creations for Artifort. His chairs reflect the natural forms of nature, the sculptural and soft shapes characterize his organic style. His favourite materials was the foam that he covered with textile or leather. Along his career he was influenced by Arne Jacobsen and later by Ron Arad. In the 70's, he was comissionned to design furniture for the office of Georges Pompidou and François Mitterand, the french presidents of that time. His design sees a revival and remains a source of inspiration for modern designers. To see the objects of Pierre Paulin, click here

Gaetano Pesce was born in la Spezia in 1939. He started his career as an artist before becoming a designer. He got famous in the 60's with his anthropomorphic Up chairs and became a leader of the Radical Design Movement. Since the 80's, even if his innovative products are mass-produced they are not identical, and this concept applies to many of his creations such as the nobody's perfect furniture collection. With now 40 years of career, he is considered as one of the most experimental and provocative designer, playing with colors and disorder in the forms and materials. Since 1980's he moved to New York to focus on architecture, while still producing surprising artworks. To see the objects of Gaetano Pesce, click here

Labels: architect, art, artglass, artworks, contemporary, Design, designer, furniture, Gaetano Pesce, gallery, glassmaker, glassware, manufacturer, Pierre Paulin, Verner Panton, woodworking

Ettore Sottsass

In the 1950’s he becomes famous for the design of Elea 2003, the first Italian-made computer for Olivetti, using a friendly interface and a modern look. Promoted senior consultant, he designs for Olivetti many successful products.
In the 1960’s he develops his artistic skills, creates many provocative anti-bourgeois artworks to block the Radical Design Movement. He exhibits at the MOMA New York few years later and takes part of Anti-Design movement.

Alessandro Mendini

Born in Milan in 1931, Alessandro Mendini graduates in architecture in 1959 in Milan. He works for Zanotta and Alessi for many years and for Olivetti in the 1960’s.

In the 1970’s he starts criticizing the established Design culture and writes articles for Casabella, Modo and Domus, magazine for which he becomes managing editor until 1985. He supports strongly the Global Tools avant-garde design school and the experimental design group of Studio Alchimia.

He exhibits at the Venise biennale in 1980 and opens nine years later the Atelier Mendini in Milan and the Paradise Tower in Hiroshima. His work includes many artworks for Venini, Zanotta, Swatch.

Paolo Venini

Labels: 1970, antique, antiques, architect, art, artglass, artworks, contemporary, Design, designer, furniture, gallery, glassmaker, glassware, manufacturer, woodworking