Vico Magistretti for Oluce

VICO MAGISTRETTI (Italy, 1920–2006) for Oluce.
“Snow” floor lamp, designed in 1973.
Acrylic and metal.
In good condition, with slight signs of wear consistent with its age.
Measurements: 166 x 62 cm.
“Snow” floor lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti for the Italian firm Oluce in 1973 and released in 1974. Part of a family of lighting fixtures that included pendant, table, and floor lamp versions, this piece is a refined exercise in formal synthesis, in which elementary geometry and the exploration of light define the character of the whole.Its composition is centered around a wide, conical opal methacrylate shade, supported by a slender metal structure. One of the most interesting aspects of the design lies in its construction: the shade rests by gravity on a spherical metal element, without the need for screws or visible fasteners. This seemingly simple technique clearly expresses Magistretti’s approach, which is always focused on reducing superfluous elements and making the very logic of construction an essential part of the aesthetic expression.
The “Snow” series was created during a particularly prolific period in the designer’s career. Between 1973 and 1979, Magistretti played a pivotal role as artistic director and lead designer at Oluce, making a decisive contribution to defining the company’s identity through lighting fixtures with a strong formal character. It was during this period that he also developed such renowned models as “Sonora” (1976), “Atollo” (1977), and “Pascal” (1979).
Vico Magistretti (Milan, 1920–2006) was one of the central figures in Italian design during the second half of the 20th century. Among his most renowned creations are the “Eclisse” lamp, which won the Compasso d’Oro in 1967, and the “Maralunga” sofa, which received the same award in 1979. Considered one of the leading figures of the “Made in Italy” movement, Magistretti successfully established a fruitful dialogue between design, technology, and industrial production. His work is part of the collections of major international museums, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.