Sergio Mazza

SERGIO MAZZA (Milan, 1931) for Artemide.
Set of 2 x longe chairs.
Red Fiberglass with loose leather cushions.
Chairs with patina.
Produced by Artemide.
Measurements: Height 65 x 82 x 78 cm. Seat height 37 cm.

The "Lounge" armchairs by Sergio Mazza for Artemide follow the same experimental logic as his Toga chair, but taken to a more comfortable and enveloping scale: they are 1960s pieces with a clear Space Age style, formed by a monobloc structure of molded fiberglass, which creates a continuous volume, low and wide, almost like a sculptural shell; on that rigid base is added an upholstered cushion that provides comfort, generating a balance between hard form and soft seat. Visually they are very horizontal, with generous proportions and a fluid, organic silhouette that envelops the body, closer to a functional sculpture than a traditional armchair.

Sergio Mazza is a key designer and architect in the development of post-war industrial design, especially linked to experimentation with new materials and lighting. He trained in architecture at the Milan Polytechnic and in 1959 co-founded Artemide with Ernesto Gismondi, a company that would become one of the most influential in contemporary Italian design. During the 1960s and 1970s he developed iconic pieces such as the Alfa lamp and fiberglass seating such as the Toga, characterized by an innovative approach, sculptural forms and an aesthetic close to the Space Age movement. His work is placed in the context of radical and experimental Italian design, exploring industrial production without losing a strong formal charge. In addition to his work as a designer, he also played an important role as editor and director of the magazine Quattroruote, extending his influence in the cultural and design sphere.