FontanaArte -  Parola floor lamp amber

Floor lamp with diffused light dimmable with sliding switch. Borosilicate glass frame with base connection in chromed metal. Diffuser made of glossy and coloured blown glass paste. Transparent bevelled glass base. Braided fabric cable, black dimmer and plug. Schuko plug, adapter and bulb not included. Designed by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni in 1980, the Parola lamp features three different kinds of glass working processes: blown glass, natural glass and natural crystal. It is an exemplary model of technical integration between artisan and industrial skills.

Gae Aulenti

Gae Aulenti was born in 1927 in Palazzolo dello Stella in the province of Udine, Italy. She graduated in 1953 at the Politecnico di Milano and since then she has worked in the fields of architectural design, urban planning, interior and industrial design, theatrical scenography. Already in his early years his projects express the desire to link together the many aspects of the architectural discipline. Numerous industrial design products were created to complete architectural projects.  Among the most famous are the "Pipistrello" and "King Sun" lamps for the Olivetti Showrooms in Paris and Buenos Aires (1966-67) and, with Piero Castiglioni, the "Bugia" lamp for the Musée d'Orsay (Paris, 1986) and the "Cestello" lamp for Palazzo Grassi (Venice, 1986). Among his most famous works were the realization in Paris of the Museé d'Orsay (1986) and the setting up of the Musée National d'Art Moderne at the Centre Pompidou (1985); the renovation of Palazzo Grassi in Venice (1986); the new access to the S. Maria Novella station in Florence (1990); the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco (2003), the Catalan Art Museum in Barcelona (2004), the Italian Cultural Institute in Tokyo and the Palavela in Turin, both inaugurated in 2005.  In 2012 the works of Palazzo Branciforte in Palermo and the new San Francesco d'Assisi Airport in Perugia were completed. Among the most important recognitions and awards: Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (Paris, 1987); Honourary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (1990); Praemium Imperiale per l'Architettura dal The Japan Art Association (Tokyo, 1991); Cavaliere di Gran Croce (Rome, 1995); honorary degree from the Rhode Island School of Design (Providence, USA, 2001); Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement (Milan, 2012).

Pier Castiglioni

Pier Giacomo Castiglioni was born in Milan in 1913. He founded the "Architecture, Urban Buildings and Research in Industrial Design" studio in 1937 with his brother Livio. Subsequently, in 1952 Livio left the studio, which Achille had joined in 1944. He graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Milan in 1937. Subsequently Professor and Assistant of Architectural Design and Professor of Design and Public Works at the Faculty of Architecture of Milan. Member of the Council of the Architects Association and of the Building Commission. After that he exhibited at every Milan Triennale from 1940 onwards, winning various prizes. On the occasion of the 13th Triennale in 1964, dedicated to the theme "Free time, lifetime" Pier Giacomo Castiglioni was a member of the Executive Committee. During his career he was part of various juries: in 1956, 1957 and 1958 for “La Rinascente Compasso d'Oro”; the Milan Triennale; Formica-Domus competition; Abitare-De Padova competition; International Cantù Furniture competition. His works have been presented and are currently exhibited at: Museum of Modern Art (New York), Royal Institute of British Architects (London), Musée des Arts Decoratifs (Paris), Palais du Centenaire (Brussels), Modern Art Museum (Sao Paulo – Brazil).

FontanaArte

Fontana Arte specializes in glass processing and the manufacture of furnishing accessories. Founded in 1881 in Milan by Luigi Fontana, it began as an industry producing glass sheets for building purposes. It had Giò Ponti, Pietro Chiesa and Max Ingrand as artistic directors. It gained notoriety especially for its processing of curved crystal and production of lighting applies. Lighting is also design; numerous brands make it possible to combine functionality with aesthetics, making lamps, wall sconces, and spotlights true pieces of furniture. Among them is FontanArte, which has marked the history of lighting design.
In over than 80 years of activity, the brand has received numerous awards, including the Compasso d'oro Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998, given by the ADI - Association for Industrial Design: "thanks to the collaboration with different designers, has been able to create a lively creative climate that has upgraded one of the historical names of Italian design."