Paying the ultimate homage to late Italian design great Joe Colombo (not to be confused with Mafia mastermind Joseph Colombo), purveyor of high-end plastic furnishings Kartell presents a “re-issue” of sorts: a plastic version of Colombo’s classic 4801 Armchair, the only Kartell piece ever to be made of wood. The iconic seat, which has, through the years, made its way through the MoMA, V&A, and Pompidou, is a symbol of Colombo's renowned relationship with materials. First crafted in 1964 from molded plywood (the material of the moment), the chair came in lacquered shades of white, green, orange, and black, veneered to resemble glossy plastic, since technology at the time wouldn't allow for the real thing. In 1968, Colombo designed the 4867, or "Universale" chair, the first all plastic seat ever, still sold by Kartell today. Serving as a pivotal point in design history, Colombo's work sat at the cusp of new and old technology.
For those who want a peek at a piece of design history in person, New York's R 20th Century gallery will feature Colombo’s entire body of work for Kartell — the ten pieces of furniture, lighting fixtures, and accessories that he designed between 1964 until his untimely death in 1971 — through Friday.