The Pipistrello lamp: an absolute icon of Italian design

wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When, in 1965, designers Elio Martinelli and Gae Aulenti spent sleepless nights testing a lamp with a revolutionary design capable of diffusing a soft, homogeneous light, they had no idea of the worldwide success that awaited them. He, Elio Martinelli, was the boss of the Italian company Martinelli Luce, already recognised in Italy as a benchmark in lighting design; she, Gae Aulenti, an architect and designer, was one of the few women to break into the very male-dominated world of post-war Italian design, which was then booming. Their lamp, the Pipistrello Pipistrello , became one of the icons of post-war Italian design and continues to fascinate. Let's take a look at the reasons why this lamp became an icon of modern and contemporary design. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15275, "width":339, "height":479, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Pipistrello table lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce. Pipistrello table lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce. /wp:image wp:paragraph In the beginning was a strange and curious name: "Pipistrello Pipistrello", what could it possibly mean? Gae Aulenti (1927-2012), the designer of this unusual luminaire, gave it this name, which means "bat" in Italian. The lampshade, with its many curves, effectively evokes the silhouette of a bat... An unusual idea! /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15276, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Sketches by Gae Aulenti for the Pipistrello lamp. Sketches by Gae Aulenti for the Pipistrello lamp. Sketches by Gae Aulenti for the Pipistrello lamp. /wp:image wp:paragraph The unusual shape is surprising for its time, but it's part of a process: Gae Aulenti designed this lamp as a tribute to the elegant, curved forms of Art Nouveau, which was inspired by the natural forms of flora and fauna. It's true that the unusual shape is surprising for its time, but it's part of an approach: Gae Aulenti designed this luminaire as a tribute to the elegant, curved forms of Art Nouveau, which was inspired by the natural forms of flora and fauna. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Elio Martinelli (1921-2004), who in the 1950s became a recognised specialist in lamp production with the creation of the Martinelli Luce company, also drew his creativity from nature, revealing surprisingly original lines and shapes. That's why, when Gae Aulenti approached him with sketches for his lamp, Martinelli was convinced and said yes to the project. Elio Martinelli (1921-2004), who in the 1950s became a recognised specialist in the production of lamps with the creation of the Martinelli Luce company, also drew his creativity from nature, revealing surprisingly original lines and shapes. That's why, when Gae Aulenti asked him to draw up sketches for his lamp, Martinelli was convinced and said yes to the project. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15288, "width":456, "height":456, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Elio Martinelli, portrait. Elio Martinelli, portrait. Pinterest /wp:image wp:paragraph At the time, it was unusual for a woman architect and designer to succeed in convincing a manufacturer to manufacture her own creation. In 1965, Gae Aulenti was 38 years old and had a solid educational background. She had graduated in architecture from the highly prestigious Politecnico di Milano (Milan Polytechnic) in 1953, where she also obtained a professional diploma - a rare feat for a woman at the time - and had been teaching this discipline there since 1964. For the last 10 years she has also been a member of the editorial board of Casabella Casabella , an international monthly magazine of architecture, urban planning and design. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15277, "width":426, "height":620, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Gae Aulenti at work, photographed by Ugo Mulas. Gae Aulenti at work, photographed by Ugo Mulas. Wikipedia /wp:image wp:paragraph In what way is the Pipistrello Pipistrello a highly innovative piece for its time? First of all, the aesthetic choice. Gae Aulenti succeeded in combining the highly geometric lines of the architecture of the American buildings of the 1930s (the basis of the lamp) with the sculptural lines of Art Nouveau. It's a philosophy that fits in well with Martinelli's DNA: a desire to combine organic forms with rigorous, pure design. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15281, "width":406, "height":352, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom", "className": "is-style-default"} Serpente design table lamp Serpente design table lamp, designed by Elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce. Also in 1965, Elio Martinelli designed this emblematic lamp of Italian design, which evokes the shape of a snake, hence the name of the luminaire. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15282, "width":500, "height":375, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Cobra Lamp Cobra Lamp , design Elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce, 1968. Another cult Italian design lamp by the Italian designer and entrepreneur. /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15283, "width":340, "height":255, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} L ampe Cobra ampe Cobra , design Elio Martinelli for Martinelli Luce, 1968. A steel joint makes it easy to rotate through 360°, and the lamp's ability to turn makes it look like a cobra! /wp:image wp:paragraph A technological choice too: the lacquered metal base can be adjusted in height using a telescopic steel arm. Above all, Elio Martinelli, who was constantly on the lookout for new technologies and innovations, worked with Gae Aulenti to design the lamp's diffuser in white opal methacrylate, a material known as opalescent. The aim is to project a soft, even light onto a material that takes on a 'woolly' hue. Another innovation: the telescopic part and the methacrylate diffuser were made using innovative moulding techniques for the time. Then there was a technological choice: the lacquered metal base could be adjusted in height using a telescopic steel arm. Above all, Elio Martinelli, who was constantly on the lookout for new technologies and innovations, worked with Gae Aulenti to design the lamp's diffuser in white opal methacrylate, a material known as opalescent. The aim is to project a soft, even light onto a material that takes on a 'woolly' hue. Another innovation: the telescopic part and the methacrylate diffuser were made using innovative moulding techniques for the time. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The Pipistrello Pipistrello has gone on to become an iconic piece thanks to its timeless style, so much so that some people even call it "La madeleine de Proust des amoureux du design La madeleine de Proust des amoureux du design". The Pipistrello's elegance and modernity make it equally at home in contemporary, industrial or classic interiors! /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The telescopic tube that allows you to adjust its height from 66 to 86 cm also helps to make the Pipistrello a lamp that can be adapted to any setting: it can be used as a bedside lamp, a desk lamp, a living room lamp or even placed directly on the floor to become a real piece of furniture! The telescopic tube that allows you to adjust its height from 66 to 86 cm also helps to make the Pipistrello a lamp that can be adapted to suit any situation: as a bedside lamp, a desk lamp, a living room lamp or even placed directly on the floor to become a real piece of furniture! /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15284, "width":352, "height":512, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Pipistrello lamp in a warm and chic contemporary living room. Pipistrello lamp placed in a contemporary living room with chic and warm decor. © Pinterest /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15285, "width":280, "height":408, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Pipistrello lamp used as a desk light. Pipistrello lamp used as a desk lamp. Residence Magazine /wp:image wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15286, "width":525, "height":764, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "none"} Laid on the floor, the Pipistrello becomes a piece of designer furniture in its own right. Laid on the floor, the Pipistrello becomes a piece of designer furniture in its own right. Pom and Gus /wp:image wp:paragraph The Italian firm Martinelli Luce is still the sole owner of the rights to the original Pipistrello Pipistrello designs. Its worldwide best-seller is still very popular, because the Italian publisher has been able to evolve the model over time. The Pipistrello is available in a range of colours, including brown, purple and agave green (as well as white and black). The materials have also evolved: the model is available in aluminium, copper, silver and satin brass. In 2013, 2 other smaller, lighter models are available: the Med Pipistrello (diameter 40 cm, height adjustable between 50 and 62 cm) and the Mini Pipistrello (diameter 27 cm, fixed height 35 cm, weight 2.5 kg compared with 10 kg for the original model). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph {"align": "center"} /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph {"align": "center"} Pipistrello lamp in agave green, a colour chosen to enhance the design of the room. Pipistrello lamp in agave green, a colour chosen to enhance the design of the room. Pipistrello lamp in agave green, a colour chosen to sublimate the design of the room. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align": "center", "id":15287, "sizeSlug": "large", "linkDestination": "custom"} Pipistrello lamp Pipistrello lamp in 24K gold plating, designed by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce . To celebrate the model's 50th anniversary, Martinelli Luce has launched a limited, numbered edition with a gold base. To celebrate the model's 50th anniversary, Martinelli Luce has launched a limited, numbered edition with a gold base. /wp:image wp:paragraph Martinelli Luce has also adapted the technology of the time to its famous lamp. LEDs have replaced the bulbs and are available in a dimmable version that allows the light intensity to be varied simply by applying the fingers. Finally, in 2019, the Italian publisher launched its "Pispistrello 4.0", a version featuring Tunable White Led technology, via a mobile app (in collaboration with CASAMBI). Original, timeless and elegant, the Pipistrello seems timeless, a "must-have" for all fans of vintage design! /wp:paragraph wp:embed {"url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWxAEOrh2cY", "type": "video", "providerNameSlug": "youtube", "responsive":true, "className": "wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWxAEOrh2cY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWxAEOrh2cY /wp:embed wp:paragraph {"align": "center"} Cover : © Mon Concept Habitation Cover : © Mon Concept Habitation /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph {"align": "right"} François Boutard François Boutard /wp:paragraph

The Pipistrello lamp: an absolute icon of Italian design

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