Enzo Catellani

A "craftsman of light" is what is considered the famous designer Enzo Catellani, whose art is aimed precisely at the creation of lighting projects.

Enzo Catellani

A "craftsman of light" is what is considered the famous designer Enzo Catellani, whose art is aimed precisely at the creation of lighting projects.

Who is Enzo Catellani

First a hairdresser, then manager of "Punto Luce", a chandelier shop in Villa di Serio, Enzo Catellani from Parma has always been attracted by the matter connected to light, to be able to interpret it and offer his personal vision of lighting.

After abandoning the profession of hair stilyst in Bergamo, the artist was in charge of a business, until, tired of carrying on an activity that he did not feel his own, he made the decision to start a new path, testing himself in the creation of lamps.

Using the rooms where repairs were carried out, Catellani then organized his own laboratory where the first realizations took shape, including the iconic "Turciù", presented at the Frankfurt Fair in the 1989.

Thus began the adventure of the brand Catellani & Smith, where the designer has always considered himself a mere craftsman, while the role of architect was taken by Smith, his horse.

Irony has always been an essential component of the personality of Enzo Catellani who, by his own admission, never wanted to take himself too seriously.

Creations by Enzo Catellani

The creativity of Enzo Catellani, which led him to occupy a major role in lighting design, derives from intuitions often born as a game, following mainly artisan paths, through which matter is considered almost a living organism.

In his production, the designer does not like to draw: and it is precisely from this paradox that the originality of his work springs, solely the result of intuition.

Conception, experimentation and finally creation of a prototype without molds, (which must then be tested in reality to see if it can be subsequently made), are the design phases that distinguish the work of Catellani.

The artist does not like serial production which would require extensive marketing; only through a severe handicraft rigor, in fact, is he able to carry out his projects, centered on the product and not on the profit connected to it.

"Isn't it incredible to have the chance to impose one's own light?"
Inspired by this concept, Enzo Catellani continues today in his unmistakable creative path.