VICO MAGISTRETTI 1920 - 2006

Vico Magistretti - Italian architect and designer

A highly influential Italian architect and industrial designer, Vico Magistretti began designing series production furniture in the 1960's including the first plastic chair.


He was one of the foremost industrial designers of the 20th century, and received a ton of awards in his lifetime.  Later in his career, he taught at the Domus Academy in Milan and was made an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Art in London.


Vico was known for the high quality of his work, urging long lasting design solutions which did not perpetuate the throw-away culture of the mid century.


12 of Mr. Magistretti's designs are on permanent display at the MoMA.

 "My designs are autobiographical, like a diary or little private world".  VM

I think these little guys are completely adorable!

These polycarbonate globes are set on very thin black poles, making them appear to magically float and glow in the night.  I love the slight steam punk quality of these.

Bistro armchair.

 "I work everywhere, in bed, on a plane, in my office.  I always have something to write down ideas in, I sketch on newspapers or magazines in airplanes, usually I tear out the page then draw on it"  VM
  

 Random:  All six of our dogwood trees are in full glorious bloom.  I love spring!!

Have a beautiful day.
yancey

PAUL McCOBB - AMERICAN FURNITURE AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER

                                                                     Paul McCobb 1917-1969

This and the following six pics. are from the site Architonic.com

Due to his early death, he died at 52, Paul McCobb is less well known than many of his contemporaries of the mid-century modern design world.
He began his career as an interior designer, turning to furniture design in 1950, with no formal training.  
At the height of his career, the 1950's, Paul McCobb was referred to as "Americas decorator", although I believe others have been called that since.
McCobbs early designs were flexible, practical and affordable ( his later designs were considered more luxurious), making them perfect for post WW11 middle class America.  He designed one of the best selling furniture collections of the 1950's, including his "living walls" which were movable room dividers, which unfortunately I couldn't find pics. of.
The thing that amazes me about McCobbs designs is his use of long, thin, wonky legs on some of his pieces.  How do those things even stand up?
Enjoy the pics....

Opps!  This lamp was actually designed by Gerald Thurston for Lightolier as pointed out by eagle eyed reader Jonathan, who happens to author the site http://paulmccobb.blog.com.  If you want to know more about Mr. McCobb...check out his blog!

This and the following seven pics. are from 1st. dibs.  Just in case you have a little too much money in your pocket.

LOVE!

This and the next pic. are from Etsy.

RANDOM:

Spring has definitely come to Virginia, yall.

Raise your hand if you love Paul McCobb.  Me too.
Have a beautiful day.
yancey

VERNER PANTON 1926-1998

verner panton - danish designer/innovator

 Yesterday I wrote about my theory that some artists ask permission and some do not....Mr. Panton was one who did not.  After thinking more deeply about what was said in yesterdays post, I have come to the conclusion that what separates those who do and those who do not ask permission is... innovation.  Does one  need to ask permission to innovate?
Mr. Steve Jobs put it best (not an exact quote, my memory is not that reliable) when he said the consumer does not know what it wants until we give it to them, in fact if Henry Ford had asked people what they wanted in terms of transportation, they would have said...a faster horse.


Just so you'll know, I have been told, by someone smarter than myself, named Braxton, that my theory is rather like swiss cheese and perhaps I need to think a little harder.  Point taken.

I briefly mentioned Verner Panton in my post Great Danes....  Let's look at a few more photos of his work. 

After time spent studying architecture (don't they all?) in Copenhagen, Verner Panton collaborated with Arne Jacobsen on several innovative furniture designs including the famous Ant Chair.  By the mid-50's Mr. P., having established a design and architecture office of his own, became well know for his innovative architectural ideas which included a collapsible house, a cardboard house and a plastic house.

At an exhibit at the Kobestaevnet trade fair, Panton turned the room up side down by carpeting the ceiling and inverting all of the furniture and lighting.  The next year, at another fair, he covered the ceiling in silver foil.  Remember this was the 1950's and this was the stuff of magic and innovation!

Unlike most Danish designers of the day, Verner Panton had a revolutionary approach to design, producing boldly innovative products and projects using state of the art materials and technology.
Had VP asked permission, would he have been allowed to play so freely with his toys?  I'm guessing not.

Random:   On the drive back home from the Blue Ridge Parkway on Sun. Braxton pulled the car over so that I could photograph this gorgeous flower.  I had no idea Wisteria was so lovely up close, or that is smells faintly like smoke!


Have a beautiful day.
yancey