Gae Aulenti for Poltronova

GAE AULENTI (Palazzolo dello Stella, 1927 – Milan, 2012) for Poltronova.
“Locus Solus” floor lamp, c. 1970.
Metal and plastic.
With European plug (up to 240 V) / E27-type bulb.
Shows slight signs of wear consistent with the piece’s age and use. Paintwork has been restored.
Measurements: 175/208 x 35 x 60 cm.
An icon of experimental Italian design from the 1960s and 1970s, the Locus Solus lamp embodies the innovative vision of Gae Aulenti, one of the leading figures in 20th-century architecture and design. Conceived for Poltronova as part of the famous collection of the same name, this piece reflects the designer’s desire to transform everyday objects into sculptural elements capable of interacting with the space around them.Its streamlined structure, crafted from metal and plastic lacquered in a vibrant orange, stands out for the purity of its curves and its remarkably light visual presence. The combination of geometry, color, and functionality reveals a design philosophy that goes beyond mere utility, where the lamp becomes an expressive and architectural object. Its enveloping form and almost organic character bring dynamism to any setting, maintaining a striking modernity decades after its creation.The Locus Solus series, developed by Aulenti for Poltronova, is one of the most recognizable collections of her career; it takes its name from Raymond Roussel’s book and was first designed in 1967 as a collection of outdoor furniture. Initially produced by Poltronova and later by Zanotta, it was subsequently acquired by Exteta.
Gae Aulenti was a renowned Italian architect, celebrated for her cultural contributions. She began her career in the early 1950s and became one of the few prominent female architects in postwar Italy. Although Modernism was the predominant international architectural style for much of the 20th century, Aulenti departed from its principles to embrace Neoliberty, an architectural and design theory that championed the importance of tradition and artistic freedom within modern aesthetics. Aulenti is widely recognized for the transformation of the Gare d’Orsay into the Musée d’Orsay, the Contemporary Art Gallery at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the restoration of the Palazzo Grassi in Venice (1985–86). In addition, she ventured into other disciplines, such as furniture, exhibitions, graphic design, and interior design.