Carlo Mollino


Carlo Mollino was an Italian architect, designer and photographer.

Biography

Born in Turin, Piedmont, Carlo Mollino was the son of Eugenio Mollino, an engineer. As he grew up, Carlo Mollino became interested in a variety of topics that were as outrageous as his art, such as design, architecture, the occult, and race cars.
He was once credited as saying, "Everything is permissible as long as it is fantastic." That credo was certainly reflected throughout his body of work. Mollino's architecture and furniture are famous for their ability to enable occupants to manipulate volumes at a whim.
Carlo Mollino died in 1973, while still working.

Architecture

In 1930, Carlo Mollino started his career as an architect designing a house in Forte dei Marmi and receiving the G. Pistono prize for architecture. Between 1933 and 1948, he worked in his father's office, and took part in several architecture competitions.
In the last years of his life he designed the two buildings that made him famous: the Camera di Commercio building and the Teatro Regio Torino, both in Turin. Before his death he completed the projects for the FIAT Directional Centre in Candiolo, the AEM building in Turin, and the Club Mediterranèe in Sestriere.

Buildings

A world record price for a piece of 20th Century Furniture was set in June 2005 when a piece designed by Carlo Mollino was auctioned by Christie's New York: An oak and glass table for Casa Orengo from 1949 sold for $3,824,000.
His work was included in the exhibition Italy at Work 1950-54 which brought him and other Italian industrial designers to the attention of Americans.

Works and projects unrealized

A huge collection of erotic polaroids taken by Mollino were discovered after his death. Each image was carefully composed with costumes, furniture and backdrops reflecting Mollino's refined aesthetic.