Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. Through his work as an architect, designer, journalist, theorist and publisher, Mendini helped establish the Italian design sensibility on a global scale with a particular focus on neo-modern, avant-garde design as well as the crossover between art, design and architecture.
Mendini’s influential work spanned the arenas of graphics, furniture, interiors, architecture, stage design, writing and painting. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1959, and he began his career at the studio of artist-designer Marcello Nizzoli. He went on to become the publisher of the popular magazines Casabella (1970–76), Modo and Domus (each 1979–85).
In 1979, Mendini joined Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi as a partner at Studio Alchimia, a harbinger of the Memphis Group before he cofounded Domus Academy in 1982. In 1989, he and his brother Francesco established their architectural practice, Atelier Mendini, in Milan, where he worked until his death in February 2019. In recognition of his outstanding body of work, Mendini was awarded the Compasso d’Oro twice, in 1979 and 1981. He was also honored by the Architectural League of New York, made Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in France, and, in 2014, he was awarded the European Prize for Architecture.
Mendini’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, among others.
Find vintage Alessandro Mendini chairs, vases, table lamps and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by STUDIO CADMIUM)
Whimsical Italian ceramic Clown Coin Saver Signed Italy
By Bitossi
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical Italian ceramic Clown Coin Saver Signed Italy , circa 1950's unique collectible piece charming hand painted .
Ceramic
Natalie Du Pasquier Vase Bitossi Ceramic Date & Numbered 2004 ED.133/299
By Bitossi, Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in San Diego, CA
Vase by Bitossi Ceramiche with elements in white clay casting. Original and elegant, it was conceived by the famous French designer and painter Natalie Du Pasquier. It is finished in...
Ceramic
Vintage 1980s Guzzini Cutlery Holder by Furio Minuti Made in Italy
By Guzzini, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly cool and post-modern cutlery holder by Guzzini. This piece evokes design elements that are current and present. Created in plastic, this piece includes 4 compartments wi...
Plastic
Danish Modern Whimsical Hand Painted Rare Ceramid Bottle by Dansk
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical hand painted porcelain bottle by Dansk can be used for liquor , oil vinegar etc. you can put a cork or spout.
Porcelain
Post-Modern Stainless Tea Kettle with Spinning Whistle by Michael Graves
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in San Diego, CA
A classic post-modern stainless steel tea kettle with spinning whistle by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s. The piece is in good vintage condition and measures 11"W x 9"D x 10"H. Co...
Stainless Steel
Large MCM Figural Ceramic Table Lamp in the Style of Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in San Diego, CA
Large MCM figural ceramic table lamp in the style of Bitossi, circa 1960s. The lamp is in very good working condition and measures 6"D x 34.5"H (to the top of the finial 26.5" to to...
Ceramic
Postmodern Rare Corkscrew, Wine Opener, Alessi, Alessandro Mendini, 2003, Italy
By Alessandro Mendini, Alessi
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare type - practical - marked
Metal, Chrome
Pepper mill created by Alessandro Mendini in 1998 for Alessi.
By Alessi, Alessandro Mendini
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Pepper mill created by Alessandro Mendini in 1998 for Alessi. Part of the Anna G collection, an ironic tribute to an authentic woman whose small smiling face has gained cult status o...
Steel
Ceramic Totem Sculpture Designed by Alessandro Mendini, Italy, Limited Edition
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Madrid, MD
Elegant totem sculpture designed by Alessandro Mendini (Italian, 1931–2019), crafted in glazed ceramic. This collectible piece is signed and numbered 23/50 on the base, forming part ...
Porcelain
Large SIGNED Ceramic Totem by Alessandro MENDINI
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Original ceramic designed by Alessandro Mendini. Italy, 2008. Glazed Totem ceramic by Alessandro Mendini for Superego edition, Milano. Named 'Dypilon', this ceramic is part of a T...
Ceramic
Alessandro Mendini Model Opistodomo 12 Colonne Collection Superego Editions
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Ceramic sculpture of the 12 Columns collection designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Superego Editions. Limited edition of 10 pieces. Signed and numbered. Biography Alessan...
Ceramic
Alessandro Mendini Model Prònao 12 Colonne Collection Superego Editions
By Superego Editions, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Ceramic sculpture of the 12 columns collection designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Superego editions. Limited edition of 10 pieces. Signed and numbered. Biography Alessan...
Ceramic
Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.
Aided by photos taken of the maestro in his Milan studio, we honor the influential design talent who died last month at 87.
