In 1965, Italian designer Gaetanne Aulenti, or “Gae” for short, brought the Pipistrello lamp into the design world. The architect had previously undertaken the reconversion of the Gare d’Orsay into a museum in Paris. But that’s beside the point. In 1965, for her piece, Gae took inspiration from the curves of a pipistrelle bat who’s wings she traced in order to imagine a lampshade made of white opalescent methacrylate. Dubbed the Pipistrello, the Italian equivalent of pipistrelle, the piece allowed her to express her passion and pronounced taste for art nouveau. According to her, “Lighting plays a double role, functionality and aesthetic.” Set on a retractable telescopic arm – made of stainless steel, it goes from 66 cm to 86 cm – the lampshade produces a diffuse light. Moreover, the luminaire is set on a metal foot that also disseminates light here and there. Too avant-garde for the era, it is this very base that delayed the object’s creation.
The lampshade has remained an immaculate white for all these years, but the lamp has renewed its base in different versions. Originally, the Pipistrello was only available in a dark brown and white; but throughout time, the timeless item has been released in black lacquer and purple. For its 40 years, a chrome style was released in 500 copies. The Mini Pipistrello is the latest innovation. The icon’s producer, Luce Martinelli, imagined this set table lamp with a simplified conception – only 37 cm tall but aesthetically identical to the original.
This year, the Pipistrello is celebrating its 50th anniversary. And just for the occasion, Martinelli is dazzling us by reinventing the piece with the Gold Pipistrello, available in 50 copies. This ultra-limited and numbered edition was presented during the Maison & Objet trade fair. Fascinating with its complexity and elegance, it illuminates the art world and establishes itself as a bright symbol of Italian design. Available only on demand through 2015, art lovers and collectors will only have until the end of the year to get their hands on it.
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