LIGHT IS THE BASE
OF ANYTHING
The basis of life, of work, of energy. And everything.
In my work on light, I never thought of light as an object of serial use, but as an expression in my artistic works: it is an expression of my work, made possible by the use of many reflective materials to structure new surfaces with light.
NANDA VIGOFOUNDED IN MONZA IN 1943
AND CLOSED AFTER THE DEATH OF ANGELO LELII, A BRILLIANT ENTREPRENEUR AND DESIGNER, ARREDOLUCE IS A PIECE OF ITALIAN DESIGN HISTORY.
AMONG THE COLLABORATORS STAND THE NAMES OF GIO PONTI, ETTORE SOTTSASS, NANDA VIGO, ACHILLE AND PIER GIACOMO CASTIGLIONI AND VICO MAGISTRETTI, IN ADDITION TO ANGELO LELII,
MAN OF GREAT INTUITIONS AND AUTHOR OF SOME PROJECTS THAT HAVE BECOME ICONIC OF THE BRAND AS WELL AS OF ITALIAN DESIGN.
TODAY, AFTER FORTY YEARS, ARREDOLUCE IS BORN AGAIN INSIDE AURALIS.
1947
TRIENNALE
Angelo Lelii
Icon of Arredoluce, symbol of an era and source of inspiration for many objects to follow over time, Triennale is perhaps the best known project by Angelo Lellii. Presented at the VII Milan Triennale in 1947, it is a floor lamp with a linear structure and three adjustable arms, each ending with a diffuser coloured in red, yellow and blue.
triennale lamp, 1951© historical archive triennale of milan
mod 12128 triennale, approx. 1951© galleria fragile milan
Presented during the VIII Milan Triennale in 1947, it represented the archetype of Italian lamps for a few decades, proposed in various versions and presented again during the IX Triennale in 1951 with a round base, selected by Achille Castiglioni.
triennale detail, approx. 1951© galleria fragile milan
triennale detail, approx. 1951© galleria fragile milan
1950
STELLINA
Angelo Lelii
Icon of Arredoluce, this lamp became history when it was included in the supply that the brand sent to the Kennedy family, and was designed by Angelo Lelii in the early Fifties. It is a table lamp with an enameled shade that can be moved up and down to adjust the intensity of the light, which also filters through the star-shaped decorations.
mod 12291 stellina, approx. 1950© arredoluce historical collection
stellina lamp© Auralis 2019
Remembered by some as "Kennedy", because two copies of this lamp were donated to the sons of the American president.
mod 12291 stellina, approx. 1950© arredoluce historical collection
1961
PAVONE
Gio Ponti
Between 1957 and 1970 the association between Angelo Lelii and Gio Ponti, probably the most famous Italian architect and designer, is at its highest. Witness to this relationship is Pavone, a spectacular suspension lamp where two concentric circles of illuminating spheres are supported by a complex brass ogive structure.
Pavone lamp, approx. 1961© philips
Pavone lamp© Galleria Fragile Milano
The past doesn't exist, everything is simultaneous; there is only the present in our culture, where create the rapresentation of the past and predict the future.
- Gio Ponti, Amate l’architettura
Pavone lamp© Galleria Fragile Milano
Pavone lamp© Galleria Fragile Milano
1962
COBRA
Angelo Lelii
A lamp and a sculpture with a vertical layout, Cobra was one of the first lamps to use an adjustable magnetized globe. Designed by Angelo Lelii, it is a classic both for its elegant shape, reminding a piece of art by Brancusi, and for the technical skills required in the manufacturing process.
mod 12219 cobra, approx. 1962© arredoluce historical collection
cobra lamp, approx. 1962© arredoluce historical collection
The first 24 items were made using a solid brass bar that was dug out at the lathe and finishing touches were made by hand.
cobra lamp, approx. 1962© arredoluce historical collection
1963
ARGO
Angelo Lelii
Suspension lamp of botanical inspiration, Soffione has been designed by Angelo Lelii in 1963. The central illuminating sphere is retained by a brass structure which gives the lamp a compact and vaguely futuristic look.
argo lamp patent, 1963historical collection arredoluce
argo lamp, approx. 1963© philips