Alessandro Mendini's Depero Influence Explored in Capri Exhibition
The late Italian designer Alessandro Mendini acknowledged Fortunato Depero as a significant influence, alongside figures such as Alberto Savinio, Saul Steinberg, and Gio Ponti. This was emphasized during a 2010 exhibition at Casa d'Arte Futurista Depero in Rovereto, where Mendini reflected on Depero's profound effect on his creative journey. Mendini's artistic heritage encompasses Corriere dei Piccoli illustrators, Expressionism, and Futurism. Depero's 'Bottega del Mago' served as an inspiration for Mendini's Atelier Mendini. His renowned Proust Armchair (1978) combines craftsmanship with industrial design, while his tapestries, influenced by Kandinskij and Depero, were crafted in Milan (1978-1979) and Ala di Trento. For Depero's centenary in Capri, Mendini showcased tapestries, metal masks, and archival materials at Casa Rossa in Anacapri.
Key facts
- Alessandro Mendini considered Fortunato Depero a key influence.
- Mendini's 2010 exhibition at Casa d'Arte Futurista Depero in Rovereto explored this influence.
- Mendini's Proust Armchair (1978) combines an existing object with a pattern from a Paul Signac painting.
- Mendini's tapestries were inspired by Kandinskij and Depero, first made in Milan (1978-1979) and later in Ala di Trento.
- The tapestries used Depero's 'painting on cloth' technique.
- For the centenary of Depero's stay on Capri, Mendini exhibited at Casa Rossa in Anacapri.
- Casa Rossa was built between 1876 and 1898 by American Colonel J.C. MacKowen.
- Mendini created four metal masks for a futurist performance, made by a Florentine silversmith.
Entities
Artists
- Alessandro Mendini
- Fortunato Depero
- Alberto Savinio
- Saul Steinberg
- Gio Ponti
- Gaudí
- Rudolf Steiner
- Wassily Kandinskij
- Paul Signac
- Antonio Rubino
- Sergio Tofano
- Marcel Proust
- Giacomo Balla
- Filippo Tommaso Marinetti
- Antonio Sant'Elia
- Arianna Rosica
- Damiano Gullì
- J.C. MacKowen
- Rosetta (Depero's wife)
- Clavel
Institutions
- Casa d'Arte Futurista Depero
- Atelier Mendini
- Casa Rossa
- Artribune
- Madre – museo d’arte contemporanea Donnaregina
- MACTE
- ISIA di Pescara
Locations
- Rovereto
- Italy
- Milan
- Ala di Trento
- Capri
- Anacapri
- Florence
- Naples
- Pescara