The POLTRONA chair, designed by Alessandro Mendini, showcases an astonishing contrast between the lightness of polyurethane and the simulated weight of “real-faux” marble. POLTRONA stands as a testament to the artistry and innovation of Gufram, highlighting the essential role of the artisan in a world increasingly driven towards automation. It is not just a chair, but a philosophy that challenges and redefines perceptions.
Gufram’s relationship with influential designer Alessandro Mendini began in 1974. Back then, an enigmatic image graced the November cover of Casabella magazine, of which Mendini was the director. A woman, clad in a blue jumpsuit and barefoot, sat in an austere and hefty tomb made of faux granite – a design by Mendini. So realistic was the faux granite that it once tricked a museum hauler into planning the use of a crane for its movement, worried about the piece’s perceived weight.
The intriguing and mystifying nature of the image led to a resumption of dialogue four decades later between Mendini and Gufram. This conversation explored the past and the future, the essence of design, and its determined pretense. In a stroke of genius, Mendini cleaved off the upper section of the original design, resulting in a new form: that of a spacious armchair. And so was born the POLTRONA, a design that is as much a philosophy as it is a physical entity.
POLTRONA represents a unique contrast between the lightness of polyurethane and the simulated heaviness of faux marble that appears more authentic than the real thing, so careful and precise is its painted texture. It is a dichotomy between the relentless pursuit of automation and the indispensable value of the artisan, whose skillful hand brings the artistic vision to life.
