Love is ALL
Architect of Light
by Alessandra Cenna
LA TRIENNALE MILAN ITALIE
until January 12, 2025
GAE AULENTI
Gae Aulenti (1927-2012) In Zurich, Beethovenstrasse, in the Fiat dealership, 1973 In Zurich, on Beethovetrasse, in the FIAT showroom, 1973 Photo: Alessandro Saletta, DSL Studio © Triennale Milano
Gae Aulenti (1927-2012)A San Michele di Pagana, maison Brion (living room), 1973
At San Michele di Pagana, in the Brion House (living room), 1973 Photo: Alessandro Saletta, DSL Studio © Triennale Milano
Gae Aulenti (1927-2012) In Milan, at the Palazzo dell’Arte, for the XIIIth Triennale, in the room Arrival at the Sea, 1964 In Milan, at the Palazzo dell’Arte, for the 13th Triennale, in the room with The Arrival at the Seaside, 1964 Photo: Alessandro Saletta, DSL Studio © Triennale Milano
The Milan Triennale is presenting a vast retrospective dedicated to the Italian architect, Gaetana Emilia Anna Maria Aulenti (1927-2012) until January 12, 2025.
A first major exhibition for this star artist, urban planner, scenographer, landscaper and interior designer who, during a career spanning more than 60 years, left her mark on the international cultural world.
In a world of architects and designers dominated by men, this woman participated magnificently in urban construction, in the design of private homes and public spaces, bringing all her skills, creative talent and sensitivity.
From 1964 to 2012, Studio Tspoon rebuilt and mounted several projects designed by Gae Aulenti. They are presented here in chronological order, apartments, shops, museums and airports.
The installations are exhibited in 13 atmospheres, on a scale of 1/1, thanks to the original materials preserved in her rich Milanese archives and to her documents, drawings, photos and models.
Sgarsulper Project, Poltronova, 1962 © Archivio Gae Aulenti
Gae Aulenti (1927-2012) Photo: Alessandro Saletta, DSL Studio © Triennale Milano
Gae Aulenti (1927-2012) Photo: Alessandro Saletta, DSL Studio © Triennale Milano
The visit begins in the euphoria of the ‘60s with the reconstruction of her «Arrival at the sea» exhibited at the Triennale in 1964. Silhouettes of women from Picasso’s work «Two women running on the beach» are projected onto mirrors.
They rush freely into space, to arrive at the Perugia airport with its red architectural structures, the color of passion dear to Gae Aulenti. The Gare d’Orsay in Paris, the Palazzo Grassi in Venice, the Olivetti boutique in Buenos Aires, the Fiat dealership in Zurich, the installation for Christo’s exhibition at the Rotonde Besana in Milan, the Perugia airport, the metropolis of Naples, all her major rehabilitation and transformation projects are mixed with her furniture and lighting creations.
Several design icons designed by the architect in tender and welcoming lines to unite the improbable in a universe of all possibilities, the Pipistrello lamps (1965, Martinelli Luce), the Oracolo (1969- Artemide) the Stringa sofa and the rocking chair (1963, Poltronova), the April chair (1963, Zanotta) communicate with the famous objects of her male contemporaries such as Ettore Sottsass, Marcello Nizzoli and Achille Castiglioni.
Gae Aulenti installs her exhibition at the PAC in Milan in 1979 Photo © Cesare Colombo
Giovanna Buzzi, daughter of Gae Aulenti and famous costume desi gner, collaborated with energy and emotion in the design of this exhibition in order to tell the story of her mother’s methodical and scrupulous work with the importance of her studies, her aspirations and inspirations.
Between extreme modernity and respect for tradition, Gae Aulenti, architect of light, has mastered the art of metamorphosis and remains forever a pioneer as prolific as she is luminous.
«Architecture is a man’s profession, but I have always pretended nothing.» Gae Aulenti
Gae Aulenti (1927- 2012)
La Triennale Milan - Italy -
until January 12, 2025
www.triennale.org
Gae Aulenti (1927-2012) In Perugia, at the San Francesco d’Assisi international airport of Umbria, 2012 Photo: Alessandro Saletta, DSL Studio © Triennale Milano
Gae Aulenti (1927-2012) foreground: In Naples, Piazza Cavour, in the Museo Metro station 2001 / In the foreground: In Naples, in Piazza Cavour, in the Museo underground station 2001; in the background: A’ Perugia international airport of Umbria San Francesco d’Assisi 2012 / on the backgroud / In Perugia, at the San Francesco d’Assisi interna tional airport of Umbria 2012A sinistra: A’ Milan, Oberdan space, in the room du cinéma 1999 / On the left: In Milan, at the Spazio Oberdan, in the cinema room 1999 Photo: Alessandro Saletta, DSL Studio © Triennale Milan