ph. Andrea Ferrari
Iconic Milanese artist-designer Gabriella Crespi – renowned for her unique style – blended creativity, passion and artisanship in an indissoluble union, harmoniously balancing design and sculptural abstraction. She transformed furnishings into museum-like objects characterized by precise forms and gracious contours. Defined by their exceptional versatility, these stunning pieces are capable of changing the perception of the space around them, ranging from small to large through decomposition, as a result of extraordinary craftsmanship. Industrial materials, such as brass, copper and stainless steel are juxtaposed against glass, marble, wood, plexiglas and lacquer. Bamboo plays a key role in her creations, not only for its strength, malleability and warmth, but also for the way it enables the passage of light.
The encounter between Elisabetta Crespi – Gabriella’s daughter – Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci, the rational and creative minds behind Dimore, has established a precious bond, giving life to a special edition of iconic Gabriella Crespi pieces made exclusively for Dimoregallery, crafted in unprecedented, selected materials.
The furnishings and lamps presented throughout the VISIONI exhibition, during Milan Design Week 2019, included: the Tavolo Scultura rectangular table, in brass, designed in 1970; the Fungo lamp, in brass and plexiglas, in various sizes, also from 1970; the Tavolo Scultura oval table, in brass and dark brown lacquer, produced in 1976; the Tavolino Scultura small oval table, in brass and bronze, from 1976; the Cubo Tondo low table, in steel and ivory coloured lacquer, from 1976: the Scudo sconce, in brass, also from 1976; and the Eclipse table in bronze and black lacquer, designed in 1980.
The exhibition took place in different spaces that recalled museum set-ups. Each piece was presented in a dedicated environment. The walls featured brick red shades, a fuchsia carpet covered the flooring, and sand dunes in different heights were seen along the visitors’ path.
Two small private rooms, could be admired through a glass wall, like precious display windows, reproducing a bedroom and a dining room, with furnishings and objects from both the Gabriella Crespi and Dimoregallery Archives: a bed, table and chairs from the Rising Sun series, a 5-position Bambù reclining armchair, a Cubo Magico coffee table in straw, an Obelisco lamp, a Scultura Rana lamp, a Scultura Conchiglia lamp, Gocce Oro tableware pieces, candleholders, and the Airone sculpture.
Important and rare rugs, generously supplied by Altai, were placed on the floor and a leopard print fabric covered the wall.
In the final room, dressed in fuchsia hues, two platforms showcased historical furnishings and a mix of objects.