Alessandro Mendini

Robert Wilson, acquired directly from the producer
Phillips London, The Robert Wilson Loft Sale, 30 September, 2007, lot 602
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Pier Carlo Bontempi, Giorgio Gregori, eds, Alchimia, Milan, 1985, p. 54
Guia Sambonet, ed., Alchimia, Turin, 1986, p. 12, fig 2, p. 35, fig. 45
Frans Haks, ed., Atelier Mendini: Alessandro e Francesco Mendini: Progetti dal 1989 al 1996, Milan, 1998, p. 40
Glenn Adamson, Jane Pavitt, eds, Postmodernism: Style and Subversion, 1970-1990, exh. cat., London, 2011, p. 41, cat. no. 41

Overall very good condition. Minor scattered dirt and dust to the upholstery. Minor scuff marks to the lower parts of the piece. A minor hairline to the wooden detail on the backrest, upper left hand proper, running vertically and is approximately 4cm and appears stable.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Alessandro Mendini wanted to create a chair that combined the visual language of the great novelist and poet Marcel Proust, and the pointillist technique of the painter Paul Signac. 'After having read about and researched Proust's visual and material world, the idea came to me of designing a possible armchair of his... In this case, I made references to Proust's descriptions of place and time on one hand, and the impressionist movement in painting on the other.' The chair itself is a replica of an 18th century armchair, each hand painted in the same pointillist technique as that employed by Signac. 'I elaborated on pointillistic patterns in order to create objects, architecture and paintings that are made up of particles and look unreal, almost like mirages that would be appropriate for some kind of meditative and immaterial surroundings.'

The present lot was commissioned by theatre stage director and playwright Robert Wilson for one of his plays.

Sotheby's would like to thank Beatrice Felis from Atelier Mendini for her assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.