ARTEMIDE

The Italian firm known for its witty, innovative designs, including the iconic ‘Tolomeo’ desk lamp

In mid-century Italy many avant-garde design brands started to collaborate with cutting-edge architects and designers, reasoning that associating a product with its creator gave it more appeal. Founded in 1960 by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza, Artemide has worked with highly individual designers over the years and as such, its lighting is characterful and varied.

Gismondi studied aeronautical engineering, while Mazza is a designer; this partnership of opposites mirrors the company’s fusion of state-of-the-art technology and artistic expression. In 1967, Artemide produced Vico Magistretti’s clever dimmable ‘Eclisse’ light, so-called because it has a rotating inner shade that can eclipse the lightbulb. Evoking planets and astronauts’ helmets, it embodied the era’s fascination with space travel and oozed 1960s pop style. It was followed, in 1972, by Richard Sapper’s iconic ‘Tizio’ desk light, which reflected the designer’s taste for minimalist elegance, and a collaboration with 1980s design movement Memphis that produced Ettore Sottsass’s ‘Callimaco’ floor light. Former Memphis member Michele De Lucchi co-designed Artemide’s ultra-practical 1987 ‘Tolomeo’ lamp with Giancarlo Fassina; its shade swivels 360 degrees. More recently, Issey Miyake’s ‘IN-EI’ lights of 2012 unfold from flat fabric to form 3D shades – proof that Artemide’s quest for innovation remains undimmed (artemide.com).

FOUNDED IN 1960, ARTEMIDE HAS BUILT UP A CHARACTERFUL AND VARIED COLLECTION OF LIGHTING

From top ‘Pirce’ pendant light by Giuseppe Maurizio Scutellà (2008). ‘Castore’ spherical lights by Michele De Lucchi and Huub Ubbens ( 2003). ‘ IN- EI Minomushi’ LED fabric pendant light by Issey Miyake (2012). ‘Eclisse’ orange table light by Vico...