Alyn Griffiths gets to grips with Modernist chairs that are design reproductions meant to last
The 1950s and 1960s saw some of the great Modernist designers create furniture that secured their legacy and is, arguably, more valued now than at the time of its inception; as high levels of care and craftsmanship involved in design and manufacture have become increasingly rare in today’s commodity-driven culture. For this reason, those fortunate enough to own the rights to original designs are able to release reproductions, and reissues, that capture the spirit of a Golden Era, whilst bringing them up-to-date using contemporary materials and processes.
Italian brand Molteni&C is one of those that recognises the pioneering influence of the Modernist masters, recently relaunching the D.270.1 chair and D.270.2 armchair created by iconic Italian designer Gio Ponti for a 1970 exhibition about the modern home. Ponti believed the home should adapt to the needs of its users. To that end, he developed lightweight, foldable furniture with a minimal footprint and a wooden frame designed to reduce its visual mass. As with other great designs that have been resurrected in recent years, Ponti’s products still feel contemporary and seem to address consistently relevant issues, from the lack of space in many modern homes to the furniture’s affordability and versatility. Ponti’s heir, and curator of the Gio Ponti Archives, Salvatore Licitra, has said that during his career, “Ponti designed much more than could ever be produced”. Hopefully, there’s plenty more to come.
