Mid-Century Iconic Objects: The Castiglioni Brothers Toio Lamp

Written by Mark Jennings Friday, 24 June 2011 05:06

Within the Mid-Century Italian designers Achille, Pier Giacomo and Livio Castiglioni had undoubtedly a primary role. Even though Achille was the most known of the Castiglioni brothers, he worked closely with his older brother Pier Giacomo to many projects until his premature death in 1968; both concentrating on the same task, rather than dividing up the work.

Within the Mid-Century Italian designers Achille, Pier Giacomo and Livio Castiglioni had undoubtedly a primary role. Even though Achille was the most known of the Castiglioni brothers, he worked closely with his older brother Pier Giacomo to many projects until his premature death in 1968; both concentrating on the same task, rather than dividing up the work.

Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni designed the Toio lamp in the early 1960s. The philosophy behind this extendable lamp - borrowing a Dadaist's concept- was to design industrial products starting from found objects as main components. This design approach was also a way to differentiate their products from the extremely modern look of the of the mid-century Italian designs.

As result of their design philosophy based on ready-made products, the Toio lamp was assembled with a 300-watt car reflector bulb, attached to a metal stem that is weighted by the transformer at the bas pedestal. The electrical wire is pinned to the stem by fishing-rod screws. This series of products -like also the Mezzadro and Sella stools- were celebrating the creativity of ordinary objects and the way it was possible to obtain new designs with a minimum of intervention.

The design writer Paolo Ferrari offered a system of classification for Castiglioni objects, grouping together the 'ready-mades' into a distinct family. The Castiglioni brothers developed an industrial style which was at once humorous and thought-provoking. Their work had its roots in the Italian Rationalist movement, which was predicated on a functionalist approach to design. Some of their work, particularly the lighting, was an experiment in the design of products from minimum means. Achille Castiglioni also championed an approach to design that demonstrated a strong awareness of the user. Products had to appeal on an emotional level, and be as satisfying to use as to look at.

Thanks to this original and innovative philosophy, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni designed some of the most iconic mid-century objects that today are part of the permanent collection of several institutions like the MOMA in New York City and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.