Alessandro Mendini, Iconic Italian Designer and Architect, Dies at 87
Alessandro Mendini, the esteemed Italian architect and designer of the 20th century, passed away in Milan at the age of 87 following a prolonged illness. He was celebrated for creations such as the Proust Armchair (1978), Anna G corkscrew (1994), and Amuleto Lamp (2013). Mendini played a crucial role in influential design movements, including Memphis (1981) and Global Tools (1973). He served as the director for Casabella (1970-1976) and Domus (1979-1984, 2010), and established Modo (1977-1979). His accolades include two Compasso d'Oro awards (1979, 1981), and he collaborated with notable brands like Alessi and Hermès. His architectural projects featured the Groninger Museum and Trieste's Olympic swimming pool. In 1989, he co-founded Atelier Mendini and held honorary roles at various institutions. His final exhibition, "Tre Primitivi," concluded in December 2018.
Key facts
- Alessandro Mendini died in Milan at age 87 after a long illness.
- He designed the iconic Proust Armchair (1978), Anna G corkscrew for Alessi (1994), and Amuleto Lamp for Ramun (2013).
- He was a key figure in radical design groups Global Tools (1973), Alchimia (1977), and Memphis (1981).
- He directed Casabella (1970-1976), Domus (1979-1984 and 2010), and founded Modo (1977-1979).
- He won two Compasso d'Oro awards in 1979 and 1981.
- He collaborated with Alessi, Bisazza, Philips, Cartier, Swatch, Hermès, and Venini.
- Architectural works include Groninger Museum, Alessi factories, Trieste pool, Naples Villa Comunale, Byblos Art Hotel, Hiroshima tower, Lugano district, Hanover Madsack, Icheon Ceramic Museum, and Triennale Milano.
- He co-founded Atelier Mendini in 1989 with his brother Francesco.
- He held honorary positions at Bezalel Academy, Guangzhou Academy, and received Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, Architectural League honor, and honorary degrees.
- His last exhibition 'Tre Primitivi' closed in December 2018 at ALPI showroom in Milan.
Entities
Artists
- Alessandro Mendini
- Ettore Sottsass
- Achille Castiglioni
- Stefano Boeri
- Flavio Albanese
- Joseph Grima
- Michele De Lucchi
- Philippe Starck
- Coop Himmelb(l)au
- Rem Koolhaas
- Bernard Tschumi
- Fulvio Irace
- Italo Calvino
- Giorgio de Chirico
- Fortunato Depero
- Georges Seurat
- Paul Signac
- Marcel Proust
- Xavier de Maistre
- Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi
- Giulia Marani
- Cristina Tajani
- Filippo Del Corno
Institutions
- Artribune
- Casabella
- Domus
- Modo
- Global Tools
- Alchimia
- Memphis
- Alessi
- Bisazza
- Philips
- Cartier
- Swatch
- Hermès
- Venini
- Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design
- Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts
- Architectural League of New York
- Politecnico di Milano
- École normale supérieure de Cachan
- Hochschule für Angewandte Kunst Wien
- Atelier Mendini
- ALPI
- Triennale di Milano
- Comune di Milano
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Omegna
- Trieste
- Naples
- Verona
- Vicenza
- Hiroshima
- Japan
- Groningen
- Netherlands
- Lugano
- Switzerland
- Hanover
- Germany
- Lörrach
- Icheon
- South Korea
- Incheon
- Gibellina
- Sicily
- Arezzo
- Gerusalemme
- Israel
- Cina
- Francia
- New York
- Vienna
- Austria
- Olda