08 Jul 2010, Posted by admin in Design Brief, 0 Comments

roberto giulio rida, the “art designer”

The Design Brief is always thrilled when art and design combine–it makes us very, very happy. Roberto Giulio Rida is therefore the perfect treat, an art designer. Rida makes unique and limited edition pieces of furniture with no concern for trends or mass production. His lamps and furniture are bold and modern, and usually covered with glass and crystal. As quite the collector (Rida is known as an important dealer in 20^th century Italian decorative arts), he also incorporates vintage glass and objects d’art into his own creations. He describes it as a collision of science-fiction, the Italian Renaissance and the intensity of mineral light. His work can veer from the sublime to the fantastic to, frankly, wackiness. His work, however, always maintains a very strong point of view, and the Design Brief respects that.

The largest collection in the US of Roberto Giulio Rida’s work is now showing until July 17^th at the Donzella gallery (17 White Street, 212-965-8919) in New York City.

Virgola Cabinet (2009). A two-door sculptural cabinet covered in opaline glass. Turned brass legs and ebonized interior with one shelf.

Fragole Eight-Arm Hanging Fixture (2009). Silvered metal with hand-blown vintage glass strawberries by Fratelli Toso.

Trico 6-Drawer Chest (2008). Incorporates vintage San Gobain, champagne colored mirror, and contemporary glass elements. Solid brass cone feet.

Merlino Table Lamp (2009). Hand-patinated brass sculptural form, Murano glass cylinders with gold powder inclusions.

–Mary Wallis