Matisse cut-outs inspire this lighting collection by Formafantasma

At Milan Design Week 2022, Maison Matisse celebrates the French artist’s paper cut-outs through contemporary design collections

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Lamps inspired by Matisse cut-outs
Lamps inspired by Matisse cut-outs on view at 5 Vie, Milan.
(Image credit: Delfino Sisto Legnani e Piercarlo Quecchia)

Founded by the fourth generation of the Matisse family, Maison Matisse celebrates the French artist’s heritage through new design collaborations with contemporary creatives. At Fuorisalone 2022, the brand presents a series of new lighting pieces by Formafantasma through an installation at 5 Vie (Via Santa Marta 21). 

Henri Matisse began working on paper cut-outs in 1941, and continued until his death in 1954, creating compositions using gouache painted paper, cut with scissors and pinned to studio walls to create the artworks, which featured anthropomorphic figures, foliage, and abstract signs. ‘The Fold’ collection by Formafantasma references these cut-outs, through the use of metal and paper shapes cut and assembled in the same way. 

Matisse cut-outs blue wall lamp by Formafantasma

(Image credit: Gianni Antoniali)

‘In the spirit of Henri Matisse, Maison Matisse celebrates joie de vivre; a heritage of optimism combines with those of perseverance, audacity, simplicity and family to envision heirloom-worthy objects,’ says Jean-Matthieu Matisse, the painter’s great-grandson and founder of the brand. ‘These are pieces that harness artisanal craftsmanship to gather value, history and design to bring joy to both present and future generations to come.’

‘The Fold’ collection interprets this modern art heritage and marks Maison Matisse’s first foray into lighting design. Designers Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin were inspired by the artist’s process, and like Matisse, they used a ruler and blade to shape the silhouettes of chandeliers, table lamps, candleholders and pendant lights. 

Pink wall lamp by Formafantasma for Maison Matisse

(Image credit: Gianni Antoniali)

With simple geometric shapes, the designers have created a series of abstract compositions that subtly reference the artist’s creative style, while maintaining Formafantasma’s unique, sophisticated approach. Made of machine-cut and bent steel, spray-painted to a smooth finish in shades from moss green to deep red, pink and blue (each piece is available in the four colours), the lamps feature contrasting white paper shades. 

Says Jean-Matthieu Matisse, ‘Ours is a family that counts the finest designers and craftsmen to create forever pieces that make a house a home and inspire optimism: the Maison Matisse state of mind.’

Green table lamp by Formafantasma for Maison Matisse

(Image credit: Gianni Antoniali)

Lamps at 5vie for Maison Matisse at Milan Design Week 2022

(Image credit: Delfino Sisto Legnani e Piercarlo Quecchia)

INFORMATION

maison-matisse.com
formafantasma.com

ADDRESS

Via Santa Marta, 21
Milan

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Rosa Bertoli

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.