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Massimo Vignelli
An homage to Massimo
Vignelli
recently passed away in New York City
Eminent graphic designer, refined and educated, excellent exponent of our
time, he became famous for the help given to his fellow citizens to orient
themselves in the Big Apple. He realized a New York subway map of the year
1970-71, an icon of the city which would be revisited by others on several
occasions.
Some examples of
graphic design realized in their studio in New York by Lella and Massimo
Vignelli , for Knoll International, for Heller, for the New York subway, for
American Airlines, for Blumingdale
Massimo Vignelli was a
man and artist of upright character: never a compromise, a weakness or a deviation
from the beliefs leading his thoughts and actions. He was born in Milan but it
didn’t take long for him to understand that New York was the city he wanted to
be adopted by. However, he always loved and missed Milan, where he had built
strong relationships with the main leading cultural figures of the city: Gae
Aulenti, Vittorio Gregotti, Aldo Rossi, Maldonado...and Mies, whose charisma left
a strong impact on him forever.
Some industrial design
creations realized by Lella and Massimo Vignelli studio for Poltrona Frau
He was still young when
he met Lella, the woman who would become his wife and business partner.
Together they went to Massachusetts for the first job assignments and then to
New York, where his first success was sealed by the prestigious project of a
subway network in the early 70’s. With this first breakthrough, they became
well-known for an essential, easy graphic, aimed at an immediate and broadly
understandable communication, a “timeless” image. The posters picturing his
multicolored network became widely reproduced thank to their originality.
Some objects designed
by Lella and Massimo Vignelli studio for Heller
Vignelli’s work became a
synonim for practicality, rapidity, simplicity, but also elegance, style and
beauty. Deeply linked to the essential and minimalist style of modern
architecture, which was represented in the graphic field by Albe Steiner, Max
Uber, but also Thomas Maldonado, his work became soon identified with the very
city in which it was produced, New York, an icon of immediacy and modernity. A young,
speedy city. Loved by many for this reason. And in this very city, at the
Italian Cultural Institute, a big exhibition about Vignelli was held. Its title
“Timelessness” perfectly summarized the timeless, high-quality world
represented by their work. Massimo Vignelli never thought design could change
the world, but he strongly believed it could make life better.
Some projects of Lella
and Massimo Vignelli Studio for the publishing industry
Massimo Vignelli’s work, and
that of his wife, ranged from graphic to industrial design, frequently
encompassing interior design as well. Among the most important collaborations
are that with Knoll International and Poltrona Frau, whose results were true
masterpieces perfectly in line with the essential features of their art.
Lella and Massimo
Vignelli, interior furniture in Saint Peter’s Church at Citicorp Center, New
York
Vignelli’s motto “Design is one” means that if you can draw an object it
means you can face any problem and draw a thousand others. Quality is varied,
but once you catch it your pencil can apply it to the whole world.
Lella and Massimo Vignelli
Enrico Mercatali
Lesa (Lake Maggiore -
Italy), 28th May 2014
Republished in english on June 28 2014
(translated from italian by Penelope Mirotti)
It is a very informative and useful post thanks it is good material to read this post increases my knowledge. Riccardo Mario Villanova Sammarco
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