A choral celebration of the anniversary of the birth of the Milanese architect – 1920-2020 – in a series of events organized by Fondazione Studio Museo Vico Magistretti in its 10th year of operation: from the online archives of his work, containing about 30,000 sketches and technical drawings, 3000 documents, 7000 photographs, models and prototypes from 1946 to 2006, to the exhibitions held in Italian Cultural Institutes abroad. One of the stops is New York City, with an exhibition curated by the architects Francesca Cigola and Matteo Milani.
“I love geometric shapes. I love doing essential things that look like nothing.” Abstract revisitation of the abat-jour, Atoll is based on the essentiality of absolute geometry. It won the Compasso d’Oro in 1979
A chronological and thematic pathway runs through the original drawings, sketches, products, works of architecture and icons created by the imagination of Vico Magistretti. From the idea to the project in a narrative that investigates the creative process of one of the great protagonists of Italian design, the exhibition Vico Magistretti 1920-2020 set up at the Italian Cultural Institute in New York until 3 April 2020 displays part of the archives of the foundation in Milan, in dialogue with iconic products and original pieces: from the famous Eclisse lamp to the Nuvola Rossa bookcase, the Selene plastic chair to the Carimate seating, all the way to emblematic lighting fixtures like Atollo, Chimera, Dalù.
Entering the ICI on Park Avenue, a dark room lit by icons by Magistretti invites visitors to watch four videos, including interviews with Stefano Boeri and Patricia Urquiola. On the first floor the world of Vico opens up, with his idea of design and architecture, in an essential installation that covers graphic signs, sketches, photographs and quotes. At the center of the room, the total black version of Atollo stands out like a totem around which the displays are organized, enhanced by seven original drawings. “One particular feature of the show in New York – the curators Francesca Cigola and Matteo Milano say – is the choice of presenting seven original drawings by Vico on loan from the foundation in Milan, and original pieces provided by private collectors and galleries based in New York – including Bi-Rite Studio, Maison Gerard, MDFG, Open Air Modern. There are also iconic products generously loaned by prestigious companies like Artemide, Cassina, De Padova and Design Within Reach.”
Like a subtle fil rouge, the statements of the architect-designer on the walls narrate his Weltanschauung: “Simplicity does not mean total lack of decoration, but a lack of superimposed decoration,” or “There is a lovely English saying with which I finish my lectures sometimes, namely ‘to look at usual things with unusual eyes.’ That sums it up. Everything is just a bit hidden.”
Other international stops, each with a different curator, will be at the ICI facilities in Strasbourg, Metz, Berlin and Prague, starting in March, while in October “Vico” will arrive in Budapest.
Vico Magistretti 1920-2020
Italian Cultural Institute
686 Park Avenue – New York City
Curated by Francesca Cigola and Matteo Milani
Until 3 April 2020
iicnewyork.esteri.it/iic_newyork/it/
Fondazione Studio Museo Magistretti
www.vicomagistretti.it
