Vittorio Bonacina’s artisans exhibit true mastery when working rattan, and, they make it look easy. Each piece is made by hand, and using the basic elements water and fire, in combination with their manual expertise, they create both classic and fresh, new forms.
Having the patience to find the most intelligent, essential and aesthetic solutions, in both the design and manufacturing phases, creates excellence; exquisite and functional pieces that are a delight to live with; furniture that is both timeless and of its time.
Vittorio Bonacina won the Gold Medal at the IX Triennale in Milan in 1951 and is present in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), New York, USA, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania, USA, and the Triennale Design Museum, Milan.
Vittorio Bonacina 2011 Salone new product releases after the jump ….
Vittorio Bonacina 2011 New Products
FLO ‘11 / Francesco Bettoni
Flo was inspired by Modernism’s simplicity. Here, rigorous, sober and essential lines are softened by the use of rattan core in a perfectly balanced “fusion” which creates a focal point that may be complemented by other classic pieces of design
ARPA / Renzo Mongiardino
With the elements of rythm and fluid movement, Renzo Mongiardino has created a comfortable and graceful piece.
SAVOY / Renzo Mongiardino
Renzo Mongiardino’s love for detail is distilled into both classical and organic forms at the same time.
CHAMPAGNE BAR / Renzo Mongiardino
Moved by his love of beauty, Renzo Mongiardino combines dreams and reality
SIESTA / Mattia Bonetti
Innovative and at the same time deeply rooted in the finest traditions of European cabinet making, Bonetti’s work straddles fine art and design
COCOTTE / Stefano Gaggero
An armchair of generous proportions and a shape-memory inspired by the atmosphere in old photographs of Cecil Beaton’s garden. In step with the artisanal legacy of the company, and the many techniques used to create different patterns, the decorative elements can be personalised.
AMOROSO / Tomoko Mizu
Inspired by Cupid’s wing when designing the soft and enveloping body of “Amoroso”, recalling an image of lightness and grace due to the transparency consented by the hand-woven rattan core.
Created to welcome and embrace you, Amoroso is the extension of the Taiko–a pouf that has transformed into an armchair.
SENZAFINE / Mattia Bonetti
A never-ending curve characterises the elasticity and flexibility of the materials used, while interpreting Mattia Bonetti’s vision.
Vittorio Bonacina materials
In design you have to start out with a deep knowledge of your raw materials. Rattan and rattan core embody strength, vitality and fluidity, and are an ecologically sustainable, natural and renewable resource. All of the material originates in Southeast Asia.
Vittorio Bonacina uses over forty types of rattan, a prolific vine that is harvested, cursorily cleaned and prepared for shipping to Italy where all of the furniture is handmade in its local workshops. Whether applying a wide range of water-based, appealing and modern colors, or opting for natural finishes and tones, the material is enhanced–and almost seems to breathe.
The heat of fire releases energy which expert hands then model into timeless forms. A process that is both antique and contemporary, the mark of a centennial tradition.
THE RATTAN – is a natural material that grows mainly in the Far East, and which is shipped to us after a rigorous selection. We use it to manufacture our furniture.
Its characteristics are elasticity, flexibility and lightness. It is woven by hand, using knowledge and experience, by our highly specialised artisans in order to produce elegant and extremely durable furniture.
CANE – can be used whole or it can be separated by using a special procedure that draws out the inner core from the outer skin, allowing the skin and the core to be used separately.
RATTAN WITHOUT SKIN – can be heated over an open flame (like rattan with skin). It is used to manufacture pieces that are to be subsequently tinted.
RATTAN SKIN – After being dipped in water, rattan skin becomes soft for weaving. It cannot be tinted, and remains a warm honey-colour. Rattan skin is used for reinforcing and decorating purposes.
RATTAN-CORE – During the extraction process rattan-core is obtained in different diameters or in a flat-oval section. Once soaked in water it can be woven into an endless variety of patterns, and can be tinted with any colour.
THE PULUT – is a small variety of the larger rattan cane, it has a reddish colour and it is used in its entirety. It cannot be tinted.
