Domenico Albion: The Forgotten Radical Artist-Designer of Florence
Domenico Albion (1923–2020), originally named Domenico Pultrone and hailing from Martine, Sicily, was a multifaceted individual—an artist, artisan, designer, poet, and philosopher. At the age of twenty, he relocated to Florence, where he patented shoemaking techniques, including the 'chain stitch.' Gaining recognition in the 1960s for his ecological and pacifist initiatives, Albion crafted anti-smog clothing and sculpture-shoes that addressed geopolitical issues, notably a wheeled shoe during the 1973-74 oil crisis. He opposed mass production and worked alongside avant-garde groups like Archizoom Associati. His philosophical views were articulated in the 1978 manifesto 'Trenta Regole.' Albion established a micro-community in Scandicci, impacting designers such as Martin Margiela. His archive resides at the Fondazione Albion in Florence, while renovations are underway at the Scandicci location.
Key facts
- Domenico Albion (1923–2020) was born Domenico Pultrone in Martine, Sicily.
- He moved to Florence at 20 and began as a shoemaker, patenting the 'chain stitch.'
- From the 1960s, he staged ecological and pacifist happenings, using fashion as a manifesto.
- He created politically charged shoes: a wheeled shoe for the 1973-74 oil crisis, a tank shoe for the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
- He rejected a US contract over plastic components, insisting on natural materials.
- His 1978 manifesto 'Trenta Regole' outlined his philosophy of ecological renewal.
- He built a 'house-factory' in Scandicci, Florence, combining living, work, and agriculture.
- His archive includes press clippings from 1962-1982 and photos with Ginger Rogers, presidents Saragat and Gronchi, and others.
- He collaborated with Andy Warhol and Renato Guttuso; his works are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- He claimed influence on Martin Margiela and Vivienne Westwood.
- He defined himself as artist first, artisan second, stylist last.
Entities
Artists
- Domenico Albion
- Domenico Pultrone
- Andy Warhol
- Renato Guttuso
- Martin Margiela
- Vivienne Westwood
- Ginger Rogers
- Giorgio La Pira
- Giulio Andreotti
- Romano Battaglia
- Enrico Mattei
- Emilio Pucci
- Salvatore Ferragamo
Institutions
- Fondazione Albion
- Archizoom Associati
- Superstudio
- Ziggurat
- UFO
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Brunello Cucinelli
Locations
- Florence
- Italy
- Martine
- Messina
- Sicily
- Scandicci
- New York
- United States
- Czechoslovakia
- Russia