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)
Postmodern Original Splendid Floor Lamp by Martine Bedin, Italy, 1980s
By Martine Bedin, Memphis Group
Located in Renens, CH
Original period (not a re-edition) Splendid floor lamp, designed and produced by Martine Bedin in 1981 for the Memphis Group, features a painted metal construction with a semi-spheri...
Metal
Table Lamp by Alessandro Mendini for Artemide, 1990s
By Artemide, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Renens, CH
Memphis-Milano style glass table lamp “Bibi” by Alessandro Mendini, produced by Artemide as part of the Sidecar line. The glass housing is handmade and features nice colorful grap...
Glass
Italian Postmodern "Shogun" Floor Lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Renens, CH
Vintage Artemide floor lamp, model Shogun Terra – a design by the architect Mario Botta (1985). An impressive lamp being a typical design originating fro...
Metal
Vintage Italian Design Gesto Terra Floor Lamp with Marble Base, 1970s
By Skipper, Bruno Gecchelin
Located in Renens, CH
Floor lamp of Italian origin - The Gesto terra lamp is designed by Bruno Gecchelin, produced by Skipper, Italy. It features a white marble base, black h...
Marble, Metal
Antinoo Metamorfosi floor lamp by Hannes Wettstein for Artemide, 1996
By Artemide, Hannes Wettstein
Located in Renens, CH
Antinoo Metamorfosi floor lamp by Hannes Wettstein for Artemide, 1996. The Antinoo Metamorfosi floor lamp by Hannes Wettstein for Artemide, created in 1996, is a remarkable example ...
Metal
"Matita" Murano Glass Floor Lamp by Federica Marangoni, Itre, Italy, 1980s
By Federica Marangoni, ITRE
Located in Renens, CH
"Matita" floor lamp by Federica Marangoni, Italy 1980s. Federica Marangoni is an Italian artist who is widely known for her glass creations and i...
Glass, Murano Glass
Alioth Floor Lamp by Alessandro Mendini, Limited Series, Venini Murano
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Uccle, BE
Alioth is a luminaire from the “Galassia” series designed by Alessandro Mendini and presented by Venini at the Euroluce fair in Milan. The base is in matt black metal, the very thin...
Metal
Mid-Century Ollo Floor Lamp by Alessandro Mendini for Alchimia Design, 1988
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Ollo Floor Lamp by Alessandro Mendini for Alchimia Design, 1988
Stainless Steel
Alessandro Mendini Rare Ollo Lamp for Alchimia Design C. 1988
By Alessandro Mendini, Studio Alchimia, Alessandro Guerriero
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Ollo Floor Lamp by Alessandro Mendini for Studio Alchimia, Italy, 1988 Rare “Ollo” floor lamp designed by Alessandro Mendini for Studio Alchimia, circa 1988. A striking example of I...
Metal, Stainless Steel
Ettore Sottsass Callimaco Floor Lamp for Artemide
By Artemide, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ettore Sottsass 'Callimaco' floor lamp for Artemide. Originally created in 1982, Ettore Sottsass’ “horn” of light creates the remarkable illusion of an oversized musical instrument...
Aluminum
Italian Modern Colored Steel Callimaco Floor Lamp by Sottsass for Artemide 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Artemide
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian grey, red and yellow steel Callimaco floor lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Artemide, 1982. Callimaco model floor lamp with conical base in dark gray painted steel, yellow cylind...
Steel
Terminus Floor Lamp 'EU 220 Volts', by Martine Bedin from Memphis Milano
By Martine Bedin, Memphis Group, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown the EU wired, Terminus floor lamp with Structure in painted sheet steel. One bulb 12V, 50W., designed in 1981, by Martine Bedin. Martine Bedin is an industrial...
Steel
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.
