Timeless design: B&B Italia celebrates the 20th anniversary of Charles
“Every architect and designer’s work passes through that of others, but too often there is a tendency just to copy: it’s the easiest way. As far as I’m concerned, I try not to copy but to perceive and assimilate aspects specific to the work of great masters. Certain similarities are more in spirit than in fact, which means that there aren’t Fifties or Sixties products similar to Charles.”
“The fact remains however that those products contain the idea of certain elements which I developed in Charles. I’m interested in reproducing the spirit and not just the form and so I think it only fitting to openly declare, even if only in the name, this reference to the spirit”.
Antonio Citterio
Art like design feeds on lighting inspirations, points of reference and routes marked by great masters to convey their original ideas coming from everything can stimulate emotions. Thus, with its contemporary spirit and elegant shapes, the Charles sofa, designed by Antonio Citterio in 1997, has become an example of timeless design. B&B Italia celebrates the 20th anniversary of a bestseller known for its light and essential design, care for details and open to multiple combinations.
In occasion of the 20th anniversary of Charles, the brand has released a special version of the iconic seating system, Charles 20, available in two coverings orange/red and grey/blue colours, shades evoking atmospheres of the golden age of design.
Besides, the sofa is part of a scenographic installation, designed by Migliore+Servetto architects: Charles 20 stays at the centre of the scene, framed by a graphic scenic backdrop with images from the last twenty years such as: events, objects and scientific discoveries. Everything changes constantly, but Charles remains as a modern icon, destined to cross the time without ever losing its modernity.
The Charles sofa is an homage to the 50s and 60s and its name refers to Charles Eames, innovative American architect, designer and director. Citterio moved the spirit of those years to its creation, giving birth to a product with contaminations and similarities, but totally original and become reference model in the world of design.
Shapes’ aesthetics, innovation and research, modularity: Charles embodies the values of B&B Italia. “Inverted L” shaped die-cast aluminium feet and thin raised base guarantee lightness and comfort. Another characteristic elements are the cushions that make it an extraordinary piece of furniture.
Provided with a tubular steel structure and upholstery in cold polyurethane foam mouldings, the Charles 20 sofa communicates a deep message that goes beyond quality and elegance: it expresses the philosophical concept of duration that is the foundation of artworks.
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