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MutAzioni

Cassina reveals at imm cologne, in the stand designed by Patricia Urquiola, the first five MutAzioni projects, part of the C90 programme to celebrate their 90th anniversary.

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  • 18 January 2016
  • Cologne

The first 5 project of MutAzioni (Mutations) – the first step of the C90 programme to celebrate Cassina’s 90th anniversary in 2017 – are presented at imm cologne 2016: the Met club armchair and chaise-longue elements by Piero Lissoni, the Black Red and Blue chair and the Utrecht armchair in various editions by Gerrit T. Rietveld, the Doge table by Carlo Scarpa (Cassina SimonCollezione) and the Wink chaise-longue by Kita Toshiyuki.

For the stand Patricia Urquiola, newly appointed Art Director of the brand and curator of the C90 programme, takes inspiration from the Rietveld Pavilion, a temporary structure constructed in 1955 in Arnhem, Holland, to display sculptures, and later reconstructed in the Kröller-Müller Museum’s sculpture garden. Various elements from this structure have been transferred to the Cassina stand thanks to the meticulous research carried out by Patricia Urquiola. The graphic rhythm and separation of structural elements, recurrent themes in Rietveld’s work, is highlighted in the juxtaposition of the ceiling’s white painted beams and the supporting cement columns painted black. Light, also an important element for the designer, naturally filters from above and through the transparencies of the walls which alternate with larger cement blocks. Inside the structure an inviting home environment has been recreated with the first 5 MutAzioni projects mixed together with pieces from the 2015 Collection and Cassina classics, many featured in the new fabric collections.

Gerrit T. Rietveld, Black Red and Blue (Zeilmaker version), Cassina. While researching the origins of the Red and Blue model in collaboration with the Rietveld heirs, it emerged that the key idea of the first prototypes was based on the concept of spatial organisation expressed through the monochrome tones of its elements. The first version was in fact produced in 1918 in completely unpainted wood. In the following years Rietveld proposed various examples, either monochrome or painted in different colours, depending on the requirements of his customers and the interiors for which the chairs were intended. As such, it comes as no surprise to find this 1920s version, presented as part of Cassina’s MutAzioni selection, created for the school teacher Wicher Zeilmaker with a black frame with white ends and a dark green painted seat and backrest
Gerrit T. Rietveld, Black Red and Blue (Zeilmaker version), Cassina
Carlo Scarpa, Doge table, Cassina. The Doge table, designed by Carlo Scarpa, became part of the Cassina SimonCollezione following the acquisition of the historical Simon ompany in 2013. Simon actually started its production in 1968 with this particular masterpiece, one of the cornerstones of the ‘Ultrarazionale’ movement established with the aim of overcoming the strict limits of rationalism. As part of Cassina’s MutAzioni project, the table’s frame is now available in a range of new finishes alongside the original steel version: polished aluminium, polished gunmetal, polished copper and matte red. Two new table-tops in white Carrara marble and black Marquiña marble have also been added alongside the existing float-glass top which recall the first model’s top with a marble insert which Scarpa made for the house of a Swiss customer
Carlo Scarpa, Doge table, Cassina
Carlo Scarpa, Doge table, Cassina
Piero Lissoni, Met sofa system, Cassina. The Met sofa by Piero Lissoni strongly defined the landscape of the 1990s, a decade characterised by a ‘return to order’ after years of unconventional and strongly characterised products. The pure and simple form of the piece focuses on the quality of life and living. “A range of sofas designed to be assembled freely in their environment, always resulting in impeccable elegance", announced the advertisement. Respecting this theme of continuity, the MutAzioni project sees the introduction of a new range of elements, a club armchair and a right or left chaise-longue to be combined with the sofa, as well as new feet finishes, offering combinations for today’s living necessities
Piero Lissoni, Met sofa system, Cassina
Piero Lissoni, Met sofa system, Cassina
Gerrit T. Rietveld, Poltrona Utrecht, Cassina. Initially designed in 1935 for the Metz&co department store for widespread distribution, this piece represents the Rietveld’s decision to adopt a more ‘market-oriented’ approach to comfort and relaxation. As part of the MutAzioni project, Cassina continues in this direction, responding to the growing need to satisfy individual preferences and customised projects, by introducing an additional zig-zag stitch, five new colour options for the thread, and a wide range of contemporary fabrics. Two new sizes have also been introduced: the Utrecht XL armchair, an anthropometric response to the increasing proportions of today’s generations, and the Baby Utrecht, a 30% smaller version ergonomically adapted for 3 to 8 years olds as a tribute to the numerous projects Rietveld dedicated to children
Gerrit T. Rietveld, Poltrona Utrecht, Cassina
Toshiyuki Kita, Chaise-longue Wink, Cassina.An icon of the eighties, the Wink chaise-longue with adjustable positions by Toshiyuki Kita was truly innovative in its approach to the new trends of a generation with a changing attitude to living. Still today a symbol of an informal and ‘colourful’ lifestyle, this model has been updated to adapt to today’s tastes with a wide range of contemporary fabrics and colour combinations for both the internal and external parts, including its ironic Mickey Mouse ears, confirming more than 35 years later the project’s playful and hedonistic spirit
Toshiyuki Kita, Chaise-longue Wink, Cassina
Toshiyuki Kita, Chaise-longue Wink, Cassina


January 18–24, 2016
IMM Köln
Cassina
Hall 11.2 Stand: H10–J11

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