Flos: the luminous genius of Italian design

wp:paragraph {"align": "left"} In 2020, Italian lighting specialist Flos re-released a modernised version of the Chiara Chiara table lamp created in 1969 by designer Mario Bellini. A UFO, we were tempted to say at the time (Unidentified Luminous Object). Bellini had submitted his idea of a lamp delivered in a flatpack, with the user having to 'assemble' the object, made of a single sheet of polished stainless steel, to Flos boss Sergio Gandini. An elegant luminaire with a reflector in the shape of a hat cut into 2 parts... An example of Flos' avant-garde approach. This article looks back at the company's history, which was largely marked by its association with the Castiglioni brothers and which led to the creation of some now iconic vintage lamps. /wp:paragraph wp:group wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15304, "width":468, "height":604, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none", "className": "is-style-default"} Mario Bellini Mario Bellini seated with the 1st prototype of the Chiara Source : Flos Source : Flos /wp:image wp:image {"align": "centre", "id":15305, "width":410, "height":284, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Flos makes the Chiara available in different sizes: as a table lamp Flos makes the Chiara available in different sizes: a table lamp or a table lamp Source: Flos Source: Flos /wp:image /wp:group wp:paragraph In the early 1960s, Dino Gavina (1922-2007), an entrepreneur and specialist in the industrial production of furniture, was already working with some of the great masters of Italian design, such as the Castiglioni brothers (Achille: 1918-2002, Pier Giacomo: 1913-1968) and the Scarpa couple (Tobia: 1935, Afra: 1937-2011). He manufactured furniture in his small factory in Merano under the Eisenkeil brand. In the early 1960s, Dino Gavina (1922-2007), an entrepreneur and specialist in the industrial production of furniture, was already working with some of the great masters of Italian design, such as the Castiglioni brothers (Achille: 1918-2002, Pier Giacomo: 1913-1968) and the Scarpa couple (Tobia: 1935, Afra: 1937-2011). He makes furniture in his small factory in Merano under the Eisenkeil brand. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15307, "width":343, "height":343, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none", "className": "is-style-rounded"} Dino Gavina, portrait. Dino Gavina, portrait. Santi Caleca © Santi Caleca /wp:image wp:paragraph Gavina is convinced that furniture from great designers can be mass-produced, and is confident in the industry's ability to produce aesthetic and creative designs. Above all, Dino Gavina was convinced that the time had come to produce a new generation of lamps, which is why he co-founded Flos in 1962 with Cesare Cassina. Gavina was convinced that it was possible to mass-produce furniture from great designers, and was confident in the industry's ability to produce aesthetic and creative models. Above all, Dino Gavina was convinced that the time had come to produce a new generation of lamps, which is why he co-founded Flos in 1962 with Cesare Cassina /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In 1963, Sergio Gandini took over the management of Flos and relocated the company to the industrial area of Brescia. Although Dino Gavina was the man behind the creation of Flos, Sergio Gandini was the central figure who established Flos as the benchmark for Italian design lighting. The Castiglioni brothers, Arfa and Tobia Scarpa were the company's regular designers. Flos made a name for itself with the creation of a cult lamp designed by the Castiglioni brothers: the ARCO ARCO luminaire. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15308, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none", "className": "is-style-rounded"} Sergio Gandini (left) with Achille Castiglioni. Achille Castiglioni. Source : Flos Source : Flos /wp:image wp:spacer /wp:spacer wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15309, "width":710, "height":382, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none", "className": "is-style-default"} Arco lamp, designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1962. A pure design: a Carrara marble base contrasting with the round steel shade. The telescopic reach of the model makes the ARCO a singular lamp that has become cult status. Arco lamp, designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1962. A pure design: a Carrara marble base contrasting with the round steel shade. The telescopic reach of the model makes the ARCO a singular lamp that has become cult status. Arco lamp, designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1962. A pure design: a Carrara marble base contrasting with the round steel shade. The telescopic reach of the model makes the ARCO a singular lamp that has become cult. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15340, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none", "className": "is-style-default"} Arco floor lamp Arco floor lamp, designed by Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni, 1962. Detail of the top of the floor lamp. /wp:image wp:paragraph In creating the ARCO ARCO lamp, the Castiglioni brothers solved 2 equations: how to provide overhead lighting without having to pierce the ceiling? And how to work with a luminaire that is agile enough to light the centre of a desk/table while leaving enough space to move around? This challenge fits in well with the Flos DNA: being able to innovate while offering an aesthetic and poetic solution. In short, to create the unexpected! In 1972, Italian design gained international recognition with the exhibition "Italy: The New Domestic Landscape Italy: The New Domestic Landscape Italy: The New Domestic Landscape" at MoMA in New York. Italian designers imposed their vision of design reflecting a new way of life inherited from the social and cultural movements of 1968. Flos was of course represented at the event, raising its profile beyond Italy's borders. In the meantime, the company had produced some of the most iconic lights in Italian design... /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph 1962 was a productive year for the Italian company. In addition to the ARCO ARCO lamp project, 2 other luminaires were designed by the Castiglioni brothers and were later published by Flos. The first was the Toio Toio lamp, which was avant-garde for its time, looking like a fishing rod. It responds to the wishes of its creators to imagine a long, flexible and manageable lamp that would "almost disappear" from the décor of the room. The Taccia Taccia lamp is also an example of a flexible, uncluttered design that is still original and classy. Its dimensions, which make it resemble a large spotlight, are unusual for its time; its look and utility make it an iconic piece of vintage design. /wp:paragraph wp:gallery {"ids":[15312,15311,15313], "linkTo": "none"} 1. Taccia table lamp, designed by Achile and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1962. Taccia table lamp, designed by Achile and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1962. 2. Toio lamp, design by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1962. Toio lamp, design by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1962. 3. Toio lamp, design by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1962. Toio lamp, design by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos, 1962. 1. The reflector is in painted metal, the body in painted extruded aluminium and the diffuser in blown glass. The base of the lamp evokes Doric-style columns, which is what gives it its charm - a timeless luminaire! /wp:gallery wp:media-text {"mediaPosition": "right", "mediaId":15331, "mediaLink":"https://blog.design-market.fr/?attachmentid=15331", "mediaType": "image"} wp:paragraph {"align": "center", "placeholder": "Content...", "style":{"typography":{"fontSize":15}}} Taccia lamp installed in an interior with a pure design, what elegance! Taccia lamp installed in an interior with a pure design, what elegance! Source: Flos Source: Flos /wp:paragraph /wp:media-text wp:paragraph In 1971, Achille Castiglioni continued to innovate for Flos. Together with the designer Pio Manzù, he designed the Parentesi Parentesi lighting system. One or more steel tubes, each carrying a directional spotlight, can be attached to a tensioned cable fixed to the ceiling and weighted down to the floor. The Parentesi Parentesi system can be used as a pendant, floor or accent light. Another success for Achille Castiglioni and Flos, which won them the Compasso d'Oro in 1979. /wp:paragraph wp:columns {"verticalAlignment": "center"} wp:column {"verticalAlignment": "center", "width": "100%"} wp:media-text {"mediaId":15339, "mediaLink": "https://blog.design-market.fr/?attachmentid=15339", "mediaType": "image", "mediaWidth":23} wp:paragraph {"placeholder": "Content...", "fontSize": "normal"} The famous Snoopy lamp, in reference to the character created by Charles Schulz, another lamp emblematic of the fruitful collaboration between the Castiglioni and Flos (1967). The famous Snoopy lamp, in reference to the character created by Charles Schulz, another emblematic lamp of the fruitful collaboration between the Castiglioni and Flos (1967). The famous Snoopy lamp, in reference to the character created by Charles Schulz, another lamp emblematic of the fruitful collaboration between the Castiglioni and Flos (1967). /wp:paragraph /wp:media-text wp:spacer /wp:spacer wp:gallery {"ids":[15317,15329], "linkTo": "none"} Parentesi design lamp , design Achille Castigloni and Pio Manzù for Flos, 1971. The term "Parentesi" means "parenthesis" in Italian, and the shape of the floor lamp evokes the typographic sign. /wp:gallery /wp:column /wp:columns wp:paragraph Flos has found a recipe for success based on innovative, functional design with a creative, whimsical touch. In any case, the Italian company likes designers who are capable of solving technical problems. In the mid-1980s, Sergio Gandini met the young Philippe Starck and agreed to manufacture one of his projects. Piero Gandini, Sergio's son who was just starting out in the company, saw Starck's potential. In 1991, Flos produced the Miss Sissi lamp by the French designer, and it was another commercial success. /wp:paragraph wp:gallery {"ids":[15318,15319], "linkTo": "none"} Miss Sissi lamp , design Philippe Starck for Flos, 1991. A lamp with a simple yet romantic look that makes it equally at home in modern and classic interiors. Available in a range of colours. In addition to Philippe Starck, Piero Gardini will continue to open the doors of Flos to major international designers such as Marc Newson (Australia), Jasper Morrison (England) and Konstantin Grcic (Germany). Since 2005, Flos has been writing a new chapter in its history with the creation of Flos Architectural Lighting, its brand dedicated to professional lighting. Piero Gandini took over the management of Flos in 1999, on the death of his father, before leaving the company for good 2 years ago, thus ending the Gandini family's collaboration with Flos. In addition to Philippe Starck, Piero Gardini continued to open the doors of Flos to major international designers such as the Australian Marc Newson, the Englishman Jasper Morrison and the German Konstantin Grcic, as the famous brand still does today. Since 2005, Flos has been writing a new chapter in its history with the creation of Flos Architectural Lighting, its brand dedicated to professional lighting. Piero Gandini took over the management of Flos in 1999, on the death of his father, before leaving the company for good 2 years ago, thus ending the Gandini family's collaboration with Flos. /wp:paragraph wp:columns wp:column {"width": "100%"} wp:gallery {"ids":[15326,15325,15328], "linkTo":"none"} Floor lamp Superloon Floor lamp Superloon Floor lamp Superloon Illuminated wall lamp Orotund Illuminated wall lamp Orotund Illuminated wall lamp Orotund Mayday lamp Mayday lamp Mayday lamp By designers Jasper Morrisson (1), Marc Newson (2), Konstantin Grcic (3) for FLOS. By designers Jasper Morrisson (1), Marc Newson (2), Konstantin Grcic (3) for FLOS. By designers Jasper Morrisson (1), Marc Newson (2), Konstantin Grcic (3) for FLOS. /wp:gallery /wp:column /wp:columns wp:paragraph {"align": "right"} François Boutard François Boutard /wp:paragraph

Flos: the luminous genius of Italian design

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