"Metafora #2" Block set
This architectural toy was conceived as a metaphor for the analogous relationship between the basic founding principles of Pythagorean and Euclidean geometry and the simple geometric "building blocks" fundamental to architecture and design. The Vignellis—a husband and wife team—are more interested in re-elaborations or transformations of old forms than in the creation of new formal inventions. Massimo Vignelli has asserted, "For me, the present and the future is total awareness of the past."
Artwork Details
- Title: "Metafora #2" Block set
- Designer: Lella Vignelli (American (born Italy), Udine 1934–2016 New York)
- Designer: Massimo Vignelli (American, born Italy, Milan 1931–2014 New York)
- Manufacturer: Casigliani s.r.l.
- Date: 1979
- Medium: Travertine marble
- Dimensions: a: rectangular arch: 4 × 8 × 2 in., 4.5 lb. (10.2 × 20.3 × 5.1 cm, 2 kg)
b: triangular arch: 3 3/4 × 7 3/4 × 2 in., 1.7 lb. (9.5 × 19.7 × 5.1 cm, 0.8 kg)
c: triangular block: 2 11/16 × 5 3/8 × 2 in., 1.3 lb. (6.8 × 13.7 × 5.1 cm, 0.6 kg)
d: triangular block: 2 11/16 × 5 5/16 × 2 in., 1.4 lb. (6.8 × 13.5 × 5.1 cm, 0.6 kg)
e: rectangular block: 3 7/8 × 2 × 2 in., 1.4 lb. (9.8 × 5.1 × 5.1 cm, 0.6 kg)
f: rectangular block: 3 7/8 × 2 × 2 in., 1.5 lb. (9.8 × 5.1 × 5.1 cm, 0.7 kg)
g: rectangular block: 3 7/8 × 2 × 2 in., 1.4 lb. (9.8 × 5.1 × 5.1 cm, 0.6 kg)
h: rectangular block: 3 7/8 × 2 × 2 in., 1.5 lb. (9.8 × 5.1 × 5.1 cm, 0.7 kg)
i: cylinder: 3 7/8 × 2 in., 1.1 lb. (9.8 × 5.1 cm, 0.5 kg)
j: cylinder: 3 7/8 × 2 in., 1.1 lb. (9.8 × 5.1 cm, 0.5 kg)
k: cylinder: 3 7/8 × 2 in., 1.1 lb. (9.8 × 5.1 cm, 0.5 kg)
l: cylinder: 3 7/8 × 2 in., 1.1 lb. (9.8 × 5.1 cm, 0.5 kg) - Classification: Sculpture
- Credit Line: Gift of Maurizio Casigliani, President of Casigliani s.r.l., 1988
- Object Number: 1988.264a-l
- Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
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Lella Vignelli
Massimo Vignelli
1979
Lella Vignelli
Massimo Vignelli
1979
Multiple artists/makers
1970
Multiple artists/makers
1970
Lella Vignelli
Massimo Vignelli
1979
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