American design retailer Luminaire is presenting a retrospective of Italian architect and designer Antonio Citterio in its Chicago showroom. Coinciding with design fair Neocon, the exhibition highlights the connections between processes, products and designs in Citterio’s work, putting his pieces for brands such as B&B Italia, Vitra and Kartell in the spotlight.
Throughout his remarkable career, Citterio’s approach has focused on method rather than style, and over the years he developed a holistic design sensibility, creating a special relationship with the companies he regularly collaborates with. Some highlights from Citterio’s career on show at Luminaire include the sinuous ‘Mart’ lounge chair, designed for B&B Italia in 2003, and the ‘A.B.C’ club chair for Flexform, launched in 1996. His reach is exemplified, from gym equipment he created in collaboration with Technogym to lighting for Flos, and bathroom fixtures for Axor.
The exhibition includes videos and photographs showing the processes behind key pieces from his portfolio. Further imagery offers a broader context to his oeuvre, showing a selection of international architectural works created by Citterio over the years.
The Italian architect has been a long-term friend and collaborator of Luminaire; collaborative projects have included a 2006 fundraiser for which Citterio decorated an Eero Aarnio ‘Puppy Love’ stool, and a 2008 paper installation at the brand’s Miami showroom during Design Miami.
Citterio will also give a lecture at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago on 13 June, where he will discuss his career and offer an insight into his creative process.
Also included in the show are some of his most memorable archive pieces, such as the ‘Mart’ lounge chair designed for B&B Italia in 2003
The modular ‘Flat C’ wall system for B&B Italia allows infinite possibilities
The ‘Acanto’ chair is part of B&B Italia’s ‘Maxalto’ collection, featuring a solid wooden frame with leather seat and back
For Flos, Citterio designed the ‘Kelvin’ light, a desk lamp featuring LED technology, launched in 2010
A piece from 1996, Citterio designed the adaptable ‘A.B.C’ club chair for Flexform
The ‘JJ’ family – part of the designer’s long-term collaboration with B&B Italia – features a metal frame and woven back, and is also available in rocking chair version
INFORMATION
The exhibition is on view until 15 July. For more information, visit the Luminaire website
ADDRESS
Luminaire
301 West Superior
Chicago IL 60654
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