Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni
Floor Lamp model “Parola”
Manufactured by Fontana Arte
Italy, 1975
Beveled crystal, glass, opaline glass

Measurements
19,8 cm diameter x 155h cm
7,8 in diameter x 61h in

Concept
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni ‘Parola’ lamp for Fontana Arte features three different kinds of glass working processes: opaline blown glass for the adjustable shade, natural glass for the stem and natural beveled crystal for the base. It is an exemplary model of technical integration between artisan and industrial skills. This model was produced in table, floor, wall and suspended versions.

Biography
Gae Aulenti (December 4, 1927 – October 31, 2012) was an Italian architect, designer, and one of the most prominent figures in 20th-century Italian design. Born in Palazzolo dello Stella, Italy, she graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1954 with a degree in architecture. Aulenti is best known for her versatile approach, excelling in various fields such as interior design, furniture, lighting, and exhibition curation, as well as urban planning and architecture.

Her most iconic work is the transformation of the Gare d'Orsay railway station in Paris into the Musée d'Orsay (1980-1986), a project that established her reputation internationally. Aulenti's design philosophy emphasized creating spaces that respected historical context while adapting to modern needs. She often worked with existing structures, reinterpreting them in a way that preserved their character while making them functional for contemporary use.

In addition to her work on the Musée d'Orsay, she designed notable museum spaces like the Palazzo Grassi in Venice and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. She also created furniture and lighting pieces that became design classics, such as the "Pipistrello" lamp and "Tavolo con Ruote" (Table with Wheels).

Aulenti's career spanned over five decades, and she received numerous accolades, including the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur from the French government.