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)
Alessandro Mendini large ceramic Totem in limited edition, prod. Superego
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
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
Fulvio Bianconi ‘Primavera’ vase for Mazzega Murano, 1970s
By Fulvio Bianconi, Mazzega
Located in Parma, IT
Extremely rare informal ‘Primavera’ vase designed by Fulvio Bianconi for Mazzega Murano in the 1970s. In transparent glass, with a square mouth. Application of glass paste and irregu...
Murano Glass
Claire Falkenstein sculpture vase for Salviati Murano 1970
By Claire Falkenstein, Salviati
Located in Parma, IT
Claire Falkenstein rare sculpture vase for Salviati Murano Venice Biennale 1972. Large bubbly glass vase. Central part in gray glass with a distinctive organic shape, three transpare...
Murano Glass
Fulvio Bianconi a fasce vase by Cenedese Murano, 1960s
By Fulvio Bianconi, Cenedese
Located in Parma, IT
Fulvio Bianconi for Cenedese Murano a fasce vase from the 1960s. Asymmetrical vase in thick transparent pulegoso glass with colored bands. Unique piece with a distinctive asymmetrica...
Murano Glass
Claire Falkenstein sculpture vase for Salviati Murano, 1970
By Salviati, Claire Falkenstein
Located in Parma, IT
Claire Falklenstein for Salviati Murano sculpture vase Biennale 72. Extremely rare three-lobed sculpture vase in lattimo glass with amber plates applied to three sides. Limited editi...
Murano Glass
Venini Large Opalino Vase, 1970s
By Venini
Located in Parma, IT
Large Opalino vase by Venini, 1970s. In opaline incmicito blown glass, engraved signature and label. In excellent condition.
Murano Glass
Alessandro Mendini Contemporary Modern Colored Ceramic Italian TOTEM
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Madrid, ES
Ceramic TOTEM designed by Alessandro Mendini and edited by Superego, Italy. Alessandro Mendini (born August 16, 1931, Milan-died February 18, 2019, Milan) was an Italian designer, c...
Ceramic
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, totem "Stoa", Lim. Ed. 10/50, Superego, Milan
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego
Located in Firenze, IT
Alessandro Mendini, totem "Stoa", Ed. Superego, Milan 12 Colonne series Limited Edition 50 signed and numbered pieces. 10/50 Edizioni Superego, Milan, 2008 Measures : H72...
Ceramic
Alessandro Mendini Model Metopa 12 Colonne Collection Superego Editions
By Superego Editions, Alessandro Mendini
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 Triglifo 12 Colonne Collection Superego Editions
By Superego Editions, Alessandro Mendini
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 Limited Edition Triglifo Ceramic Sculpture by Superego 2000s
By Superego, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Triglifo is an elegant statuette entirely realized in ceramic as a part of a 12 columns series designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Superego in th...
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.
