Locus Solus Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, Yellow Bench

Yellow bench Locus Solus Gae Aulenti for Poltronova. Yellow bench. The project belongs to the famous series presented in the Sixties, an expression of research that combines structural rigor and a strong chromatic identity. The yellow painted metal structure defines a clear and recognizable graphic sign, transforming the functional element into a plastic and architectural presence. The essential line and bright color reflect Aulenti’s experimental approach and Poltronova’s role in the most radical season of Italian design. An icon of design from the second half of the twentieth century, the Locus Solus bench retains a strong modernity, suitable for both contemporary interiors and indoor outdoor spaces.

The Locus Solus Series represents one of the most original expressions of Italian design of the second half of the twentieth century. Designed in 1967 by Gae Aulenti for Poltronova, the collection was born as an innovative system of outdoor furniture and garden furniture, capable of combining formal experimentation, visual culture and functionality. The outdoor furniture of the Locus Solus Series combines aesthetic value and practicality. The steel construction ensures strength and durability, while the lightweight and colorful design creates relaxed and informal environments. Gae Aulenti manages to transform garden furniture into expressive elements, capable of defining space and adapting to different interpretations of outdoor living. The name Locus Solus Series derives from the novel of the same name by Raymond Roussel, immediately suggesting an imaginative and conceptual dimension. Locus Solus Gae Aulenti was born at a time of great design transformation. In collaboration with the School of Art of Pistoia, Gae Aulenti develops a project that overcomes the limits of traditional functionalism, introducing a freer, more ironic and experimental vision. The Locus Solus Gae Aulenti Chairs and the other elements of the series reinterpret the language of tubular metal typical of the Sixties, transforming it into a real aesthetic statement. The Locus Solus Gae Aulenti Chairs feature cushions in polyvinyl material covered in printed acrylic fabric, characterized by concentric circle patterns and bright colors. The sinuous and light shapes become a refined parody of rationalism, with a clear reference to the culture of pataphysics and Pop Art. A fundamental precedent is the Sgarsul chair, from which the designer takes the concept of dynamic structure, but translates it into a contemporary and industrial key.

Fair general condition, with obvious signs of aging and compatible with age and use. To be repainted. Provenance: private collection.