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I Buffet
April 2012
Barnaba Fornasetti presents, on occasion of Fuori Salone del Mobile 2012, a low buffet furniture available in three sizes (cm 180×45x75h, cm 180×55x65h and cm 240×55x65h) and in several decors, both new and taken from the repertoire of the classic Fornasettian themes. The décor “Face and Stripes” presenting vivid colors, is the umpteenth interpretation of the woman’s face taken from the Fornasetti series “Tema e Variazioni” (Theme and Variations), a new variation just enriching the collection already inflected on numerous objects. The legendary face of Lina Cavalieri coming out from the leaves, “FoglioLina” (an Italian pun meaning small leaf), decorates the largest version of this piece of furniture. Barnaba Fornasetti took inspiration from the chest of drawers “Leopardo” (Leopard) created by his father in the ‘50s, but he replaced the feline with the woman. The small version of this new furniture has two doors while the biggest one has four doors and some drawers inside it; both are made of wood printed, lacquered and painted by hand. It is possible to customize the décor on request according to the suggestions listed here below that will be illustrated in the Fornasetti showroom during Salone del Mobile week:
• Città che si rispecchia • Face and stripes on white • Kiss • Grattacieli • Gerusalemme • Fondo Marino • Farfalle • Muro Antico • Leopardi • Sirena
Il Riflesso Magico
October 2011
The Atelier Fornasetti has produced a collection of more than twenty mirrors, now on display at L’Eclaireur in Paris. It is the result of a selective reissue of certain projects conceived by Piero Fornasetti, an eclectic creative figure whose production gravitated between art, design, fashion and decoration, together with a masterly reinterpretation by his son, Barnaba. Indeed, this collection of mirrors is not simply a series of sophisticated furnishing solutions, but rather the point of departure for some interesting and enigmatic reflections.
We are presented with curved reflective surfaces, either concave or convex, which therefore have a deforming, enlarging or transformative effect. The mirrors are embellished or etched to various degrees, and enclosed in beautifully decorated frames. This is a collection which is not merely intended to carry out a simple practical function, but which aims to explore further horizons by evoking reminiscences of Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, and paintings in the Flemish tradition such as “The Arnolfini Wedding” by Jan Van Eyck. These are magical objects because in their very complexity they induce a vivid sensation of ancient legends and fantastic stories, recalling aspects of a long-forgotten collective imagination. There was a well-known belief in northern European folklore that a convex mirror was “the witch’s eye” because, just like a huge eye, it could both observe and attract the attention of others. The strategy was to place at least one of these next to a door or window to prevent the entry of the evil eye and misfortune. Whether or not you believe it wards off bad luck, it may well be a good idea to have one in your home: even if it does not keep misfortune at bay, it will certainly attract you by its beauty…
Trumeau Fun Fan
September 2011
The trumeau-bar is the best known and best represented piece of furniture in the Fornasetti range. “Trumeau” is the classic example of a Gallicism in the Italian language which does not correspond to the real meaning of the original term. Fornasetti nonetheless used it to define this item of furniture, a cross between a sideboard, bar and bureau. The trumeau-bar was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1949 but then modified by Fornasetti who preferred, for the purposes of small-scale production, to make it look more square and less affected, removing all traces of a typical 1950s style. The pointed legs have been replaced by a squarer, black base and the top is no longer curved. After having made the structure more neutral and versatile, he extended the decoration to the interior, which had doors and cabinets that could reveal surprises with further thematic evolutions and points of view. “Fun fan”, an intriguing and harmonic play on words, is the name given to the latest re-invention by Barnaba Fornasetti, a new variation on the “trumeau” theme which takes a sideways look at the iconic face of the singer Lina Cavalieri; recomposed on the inside of this piece of furniture, it creates an extraordinary “trompe l’oeil” effect: as though the surreal pieces that features her traits were indeed superimposed on it. It is almost unnecessary to underline the relationship of the name of the trumeau to the surface motif of the optical fans, that give this piece a real touch of retro humour – a feature which certainly distinguishes anyone who chooses to use a fan.
Trumeau Libri
September 2011
The trumeau-bar is the best known and best represented piece of furniture in the Fornasetti range. “Trumeau” is the classic example of a Gallicism in the Italian language which does not correspond to the real meaning of the original term. Fornasetti nonetheless used it to define this item of furniture, a cross between a sideboard, bar and bureau. The trumeau-bar was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1949 but then modified by Fornasetti who preferred, for the purposes of small-scale production, to make it look more square and less affected, removing all traces of a typical 1950s style. The pointed legs have been replaced by a squarer, black base and the top is no longer curved. After having made the structure more neutral and versatile, he extended the decoration to the interior, which had doors and cabinets that could reveal surprises with further thematic evolutions and points of view. “Libri” (Books) trumeau was originally made in 1954. The shutters open to a view of Venice; in the foreground is drapery and a birdcage. About ten of these were made between the 1950s and 1960s. Now Barnaba re-edited this trumeau in a yearly limited edition of 4 pieces made in the original manner.
Fornasetti by Bitossi Ceramiche 2011
September 2011
Back and bigger than before, the growing and diverse Fornasetti family of Vases by Bitossi. These now well-known vases are born from the union of the almost endless Fornasetti variations and the widely known “classic” theme created by Piero in the 50’s and years later discovered as a chalk mould which never made its way into production by his son Barnaba in the family’s house cellar. All the vase family are distinguished by the unmistakable Fornasetti style, although different, more or less obscure, towards a natural inclination of disguise, an elegant veiled irony coupled with any new variation on the iconic theme. Creative interventions made by Barnaba Fornasetti on the colours, on the patinas and materials, stimulated by the expertise and creativity of the craftsmen’s ability from the Bitossi team. The final objet d’art is a skilled process that combines traditional techniques and contemporary innovation, each single piece of the collection is handmade to perfection achieving the highest standards. Between the “smilzo” ( the skinny one!) and the “antipatico” (the unpleasant one!), the “clown” and the surreal “keyholes”, there is a new appearance, for the first time by Fornasetti, the “new” face of Furio, the masculine alter-ego of the renowned Fornasetti’s face of Lina Cavallieri, in collaboration between Barnaba Fornasetti and Nigel Coates, a unique and prototype to be admired. The new collection continues with this itinerary’s exhibition of limited edition designs, unique pieces and prototypes, a precious selection that will be previewed from September at the Spazio Fornasetti in Milan, Milk Concept Boutique in London and L’Eclaireur in Paris. A narrow production dictated once again from the workmanship’s distinctiveness more than from a commercial perspective, this is typical of the artists dedication to the uniqueness of each Fornasetti piece.
Fornasetti Profumi per la Casa 2011
September 2011
With the latest of these ‘Collaborazioni’ Barnaba Fornasetti has turned his attention towards the notion of home fragrance in combination with decorative objects. Fornasetti Profumi per La Casa celebrates the Fornasetti ceramic heritage in combination with both well-known and less familiar decorative images. Together they make up a desirable group of iconic objects and decorative pieces that are at once collectable and covetous. Fornasetti has taken a new step in home fragrance, one that transcends the obvious and transforms it into the truly magical. Architectural details, whimsical facial expressions, hands, guns, owls, key holes and monkeys all vie with one another to capture the imagination and open the realm of dreams. The collection encompasses various home scenting devices from the ubiquitous scented candle through to boxed incense sticks and ceramic globe diffusers for incense, perfumed oil or scented crystals. Each object has a clearly defined purpose and can be re-used, given an alternative use, or added to a Fornasetti collection.
Fuori Salone 2011
The Weapon of Irony
The new “Armistizio” office furniture collection is on show at the Spazio Fornaseti showroom in Corso G. Matteotti, 1/A from 12 to 18 April 2011.
Inspired by renaissance engravings of armour and mêlée weapons and antique illustrations of firearms, archive drawings such as “Spade e fucili” or “Pugnali e pistole”, which were previously used to embellish a variety of objects, have now been revisited, updated and given new context by Barnaba Fornasetti. “Armistizio”, his new office furniture collection also includes a suit of armour taken from the “Angolo antico con armatura” screen to design and create flamboyant workstations for professionals armed with irony and sense of humour. Inflected in a pop-art mode, with emphasis on acid and digital tones, ranging from yellow to green to pink, hand-printed silver leaf decorations stand out against the black-lacquered backgrounds of surface tops, shelves and sides. Transforming in eccentric playful elements the equipped chairman’s desk, the small bureau with drawer and superstructure, the office chair and two meeting chairs, the cabinet with drawers, the double-door cabinet and the three nested tables in the collection. A collection that features decidedly square, linear shapes, “Armistizio” also includes a wall organizer reminiscent of early 20th-century coat racks, a frame with a rounded mirror and even a treasure chest. With its decorative assortment of weapons, accurate reproductions of torso, full-body armours, with its lively, colourful fusion of antique and modern, painting and engraving, it won’t miss to appeal the fiercest lovers of the unique and unexpected.
La Stanza dei Glifi
Nilufar presents on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 6.30 p.m.
a solo exhibition and a theme show collecting new projects and unique specimens by architects and designers already linked with Nilufar history and activity Milan, Via della Spiga 30-32.
The Litomatrici, original zinc-alloy plates used for the lithographic printing of his father Piero’s original decorations in the Fifties, inspire and characterise the microcosms designed by Barnaba Fornasetti for the exhibition. Fornasetti exploited the original plates to create the chandelier ”Litoplissé II”, the magazine rack ”Litomatrice Borsav, the chair ”Litomatrice Vienna”, a box ”Litomatrice Ottagono”, a coffee table ”Litomatrice Frammenti Romani”, the table ”Litomatrice Fasi del Sole”, placed on the carpet ”Emisferi”. Furthermore, a “Litomatrice” wall mirror including the themes ”Re Regina Fante”, ”Bassorilievi” and ”Cammei”. Unique pieces giving life to the furniture of ”Stanza dei Glifi”, including also an equipped wall-boiserie, a coat stand with shelves, and a space for umbrellas. Both are covered with zinc-alloy plates. It is a ”Wunderkammer” shaped as a long rectangle, giving the surreal idea of soaring into the clouds of the new wallpaper by Fornasetti, hand-retouched for the occasion. You enter through a door made of acidated glass, a unique specimen by Piero Fornasetti coming from architect Melchiorre Bega’s study.
Fornasetti ‘The Complete Universe’ book launch
2010
Beloved for transforming everyday objects into works of art that featured his idiosyncratic designs, Piero Fornasetti (1913–1988) is recognized one of the world’s most inventive and creative minds. Now, in FORNASETTI: The Complete Universe (Rizzoli; November 2010), Barnaba Fornasetti—who continues to carry on the tradition of the Fornasetti atelier—celebrates his father’s legacy by offering readers a look inside the wonderous world that is Fornasetti.
Designed to be an “artist’s book” that reflects Fornasetti’s iconic overall approach to design, this monograph is divided into two distinctive sections: the first half is dedicated to Piero Fornasetti as an artist and highlights his pictorial and graphic work and their artistic applications; the second half focuses on the 70-plus years of the atelier’s production—furniture, sculptures and etchings, graphics, textiles, glass, screens, trays, ceramics, and more—and covers the activity of the atelier up to present day.
The book also addresses Barnaba’s commitment to keeping the Fornasetti legacy alive by showing how Piero’s ideas and models are transformed, reworked, and contextualized. The atelier not only reissues historical pieces, but also offers reinterpretations of themes and objects drawing inspiration from the vast repertory of the atelier’s archive of lithographic plates, designs, notes, documents, and objects. Featuring over 3,000 images, many never before published, this epic undertaking covers detailed technical, biographical, and bibliographical information, and includes a list of exhibitions and a register of the complete works.
Simply put, FORNASETTI: The Complete Universe is a must-have for collectors and connoisseurs alike.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Barnaba Fornasetti is a designer and oversees his father’s legacy. Andrea Branzi is a leading architect and designer in Milan and has published a number of books on design, including The Hot House: Italian New Wave Design. Mariuccia Casadio is the art consultant for Italian Vogue and the author of Dolce & Gabbana: Fashion Album, among other books.