Antonio Aricó, a designer who works in Milan and Reggio, Italy, says that his practice encompasses values that include “objects, rationality and people’s emotions.” Aricó works on limited, personal collections for Italian brands we’ve linked below. The designs we’ve seen on his web site emphasize warmth, grace and playfulness by turns.
Aricó, who shares a studio with his grandfather, has exhibited at DMY in Berlin, the Salone del Mobile in Milan, Maison & Objets in Paris and the Design Centrum Kielce in Poland, Wabi Sabi exhibition in Turin, Nomadismi exhibition curated by Lidewij Edelkoort in Milan and at the Design Museum Holon in Tel Aviv, according to his biography.
Antonio Aricó, Bonjour Bajour lamp, 2012, translucent white porcelain, W 20 x H 40 cm. For Waldraud.
The Bonjour Bajour lamp was designed to be a helping hand for people who have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. Aricó states he wanted the user to have “the warm feeling” of a breakfast mug to help them wake “softly and peacefully.” The lamp is friendly encouragement for when you need it most.
The lamp is sold through Waldraud of Zürich.
Antonio Aricó, Water Pitcher Block, 2014, glass. For Editamateria.
The Water Pitcher Block is a glass carafe, designed to be “rounded and comfortable.” Aricó states that he wanted to create an emotional object that emphasized purity and simplicity, “minimal but strong and full of character.” It takes on the familiar shape of an ice cube. The glass was blown by Massimo Lunardon. The carafe comes with six glasses and is distributed by Editamateria.
Antonio Aricó, Watering Kettle Cans, 2011, ceramic and plastic, “Swan” dimensions W 41 x H 32 cm, “Trunk” dimensions, W 36 x H 18 cm. For Garagedesign.
The designer’s watering can began as a concept of a “ceramic swan.” It also links the indoors with gardening, by functioning both as a watering can and a teapot. The act of serving your plants a drink of water and serving your friends a cup of tea are very similar, Aricó notes. By combining those acts, he hopes to magnify everyday life and put more emphasis on those “tenderhearted” gestures. The cans take on the look of either a swan or an elephant with a long trunk. It is sold through Garagedesign.
Antonio Aricó, Bugia e Lanterna, 2012, porcelain and glass, Lanterna dimensions W 11 x H 29 cm, Bugia W 8 x H 18 cm. For Seletti.
The Bugia e Lanterna design is described by Aricó as “a play on the retro archetype of the ‘bugia’ candle-holder.” A hybrid of the candle holder and a typical lantern, it is protected by glass and makes a soft, natural light, the designer states.
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