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)
Three Stools model “Ollo” by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Barcelona, ES
Three Stools model "Ollo" Manufactured by Museo Alchimia Italy, 1988 Laminated wood Big height H74 x 22 x 22cm Medium height H64 x 22 x 22cm Small hei...
Wood
Magis Proust LowChair in White by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Magis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“I think many people will already know my “Proust armchair”. It is a romantic, baroque chair, on which an endless number of multi-coloured dots are hand-paint- ed using the pointillism technique. These dots cover the whole armchair, both the fabric and the wooden decorations. It’ s a re-design work. It is, in fact, a combination of a mock-antique armchair with a detail from a painting of a garden by French artist Signac. From 1978 onwards, the “Proust armchair” was produced in many versions, using different colours, ma- terials and dimensions, and was even made of ceramics and bronze. It travelled all around the world and was hosted in many museums. But now some truly revolutionary news, as a paradox comes true: the “Proust armchair” has now been transformed into an industrial rotational-moulded piece. Ladies and gentlemen, we bring you “ Magis Proust...
Polystyrene
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 60 in D 17.5 in
Alessandro Mendini Postmodern “Karina” Bench for Baleri Italia
By Baleri Italia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Memphis era Karina bench by Alessandro Mendnini and part of the series Poesie d’Anticamera. Grey epoxy steel tube, perforated steel seat with blue felt cushion. Italy 1980s.
Steel
$2,750
H 35 in W 17 in D 19.5 in
Dining / Desk Chair model BM5 by Alessandro Mendini and Mario Brunati, 1965
By G. Moscatelli, Mario Brunati, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Kansas City, MO
Alessandro Mendini and Mario Brunati Dining, Desk, or Side Armless Chair, Model BM5 for Moscatelli, Italy, 1965. Lavender / light purple fabric and walnut frame. A beautiful exampl...
Upholstery, Walnut
Josef Frank Three Legged Stool
By Josef Frank
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A charming, three legged stool, Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden.
Cherry
Alvar Aalto Stool model Y61 by Artek
By Alvar Aalto, Artek
Located in Espoo, FI
Artek's model Y61 stool, birch with black saddle belts. Designed by Alvar Aalto. In very good used condition. Airy design and beautiful Y-shaped leg structures.
Birch, Fabric
$320Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 44.5 in W 24.5 in D 21 in
1 Teknion Variable Stool by Alessandro Piretti
By Teknion
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Teknion Variable stool by Alessandro Piretti Designed by Alessandro Piretti, Variable is ideal for informal spaces where reconfiguration is encouraged, yet durability and style remain essential. Variable features a one-piece molded shell...
Plastic
Set of Three Norma Stools by Arper
By Arper
Located in Highland, IN
These sleek minimalist "Norma" model #1713 stools designed by Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper have a polyurethane shell seat supported by a steel frame, all fully upholstered in ric...
Steel
Three-Legged Stool by Studio Woodworker John W Los
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This beautifully crafted stool is a fine example of American woodworker John W Los.
Mahogany
Three Folding Stools by Mogens Koch
By Mogens Koch
Located in San Francisco, CA
A trio of folding stools, designed by Mogens Koch for Rud Rasmussen in 1932. Lightly restored frames with new brass hardware and new natural colored canvas seats.
Canvas, Beech
$9,750
H 43 in W 41.25 in D 36.5 in
Italian Postmodern Proust Geometrica Armchair Alessandro Mendini by Cappellini
By Cappellini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Portland, OR
An iconic chair designed by Italian postmodern designer Alessandro Mendini (1931-2019). This wonderful postmodern work of art presented as a chair is in excellent condition and ready to display in your space. Proust was originally created in 1978 for the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara. It was immediately recognized as an icon of twentieth century design and one of the most renowned and essential reference points in the quest for form and aesthetic perfection. Cappellini inherited the piece in 1993 and today Proust Geometrica...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Foam, Beech, Paint
Original Proust Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Italy
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Historical piece of contemporary design, the Proust armchair with carved and hand painted wooden frame, fixed multicolored fabric hand- painted lining ...
Wood
$15,348Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 53.94 in W 36.62 in D 19.69 in
Zanotta Edizioni Zabro Table Chair in Lacquered Wood by Alessandro Mendini
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Edizioni Zabro Table Chair in Lacquered Wood by Alessandro Mendini Signed copy. Top and seat in lacquered wood with hand-decorated polychrome decoration. Armrests covered ...
Wood