Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. Through his work as an architect, designer, journalist, theorist and publisher, Mendini helped establish the Italian design sensibility on a global scale with a particular focus on neo-modern, avant-garde design as well as the crossover between art, design and architecture.
Mendini’s influential work spanned the arenas of graphics, furniture, interiors, architecture, stage design, writing and painting. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1959, and he began his career at the studio of artist-designer Marcello Nizzoli. He went on to become the publisher of the popular magazines Casabella (1970–76), Modo and Domus (each 1979–85).
In 1979, Mendini joined Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi as a partner at Studio Alchimia, a harbinger of the Memphis Group before he cofounded Domus Academy in 1982. In 1989, he and his brother Francesco established their architectural practice, Atelier Mendini, in Milan, where he worked until his death in February 2019. In recognition of his outstanding body of work, Mendini was awarded the Compasso d’Oro twice, in 1979 and 1981. He was also honored by the Architectural League of New York, made Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in France, and, in 2014, he was awarded the European Prize for Architecture.
Mendini’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, among others.
Find vintage Alessandro Mendini chairs, vases, table lamps and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by STUDIO CADMIUM)
Ceramic Totem Sculpture Designed by Alessandro Mendini, Italy, Limited Edition
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Madrid, MD
Elegant totem sculpture designed by Alessandro Mendini (Italian, 1931–2019), crafted in glazed ceramic. This collectible piece is signed and numbered 23/50 on the base, forming part ...
Porcelain
Alessandro Mendini, Glazed Ceramic Totem, Italy, circa 1980s
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Madrid, MD
Totem designed by Alessandro Mendini (1931–2019), crafted in ceramic with a vibrant high-gloss glaze. The piece is composed of four independent sections, making it fully detachable a...
Porcelain
Alessandro Mendini, Glazed Ceramic Totem, Italy, circa 1980s
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Madrid, MD
Totem designed by Alessandro Mendini (1931–2019), crafted in ceramic with a vibrant high-gloss glaze. The piece is composed of four independent sections, making it fully detachable a...
Porcelain
Vintage Murano Colored Glass Sculpture by Alessandro Barbaro, Italy, 1970
Located in Madrid, MD
This exceptional Murano glass piece was created in 1970 by Alessandro Barbaro (Dorsoduro, 1936), a renowned artist and master glassmaker celebrated ...
Glass
Alexandre Arrechea Evidence Sculpture 2006 Limited Edition
By Alexandre Arrechea
Located in Madrid, MD
Sculpture “Evidence” by Alexandre Arrechea – Limited Edition (2006) Discover “Evidence”, a striking sculpture by the renowned Cuban artist Alexandre Arrechea (b. 1970, Trinidad, Cub...
Resin
Coniglieschio Ceramic Sculpture by Massimo Giacon
Located in Madrid, MD
Massimo Giacon (Italian, b. 1961) is a multidisciplinary artist and designer known for his playful and provocative approach to contemporary art and design. This piece, Coniglieschio,...
Ceramic
Large SIGNED Ceramic Totem by Alessandro MENDINI
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Original ceramic designed by Alessandro Mendini. Italy, 2008. Glazed Totem ceramic by Alessandro Mendini for Superego edition, Milano. Named 'Dypilon', this ceramic is part of a T...
Ceramic
Stilobate Column by Alessandro Mendini 2008 Numbered
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Paris, FR
Stilobate column from the Column Collection created in 2008 by Alessandro Mendini (born in 1931). Superego Edition limited to 50 numbered copies. The column is surmounted by a box wi...
Porcelain
Alessandro Mendini large ceramic Totem in limited edition, prod. Superego
By Superego Editions, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Parma, IT
Large Ceramic totem designed by Alessandro Mendini for Superego. In glazed and silver-plated ceramic, limited edition product, signature and numbering on the bottom. In excellent con...
Ceramic
Alessandro Mendini large ceramic Totem in limited edition, prod. Superego
By Superego Editions, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Parma, IT
Large Ceramic totem designed by Alessandro Mendini for Superego. In glazed and silver-plated ceramic, limited edition product, signature and numbering on the bottom. In excellent con...
Ceramic
Alessandro Mendini Model Kalamis 12 Colonne Collection Superego Editions
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Ceramic sculpture of the 12 columns collection designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Superego Editions. Limited edition of 10 pieces. Signed and numbered. Biography Alessan...
Ceramic
Alessandro Mendini Model Elgin 12 Colonne Collection Superego Editions
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Ceramic sculpture of the 12 columns collection designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Superego editions. Limited edition of 10 pieces. Signed and numbered. Biography Alessan...
Ceramic
Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.
Aided by photos taken of the maestro in his Milan studio, we honor the influential design talent who died last month at 87.
