Rodolfo Dordoni: “My works are always a comprehension of myself”
By: Hanna Bandalier
Tags: Furniture, Rodolfo Dordoni, Interview, Italian Design, Design

Interview with Rodolfo Dordoni, one of the contemporary masters of Italian design.

Born in Milan in 1954, Rodolfo Dordoni graduated in architecture at the Milan Polytechnic in 1979. From 1979 to 1989, he took over the art direction of the Giulio Cappellini family business, transforming this brand into a protagonist of modern design. In 1990, with a minimalist glass lamp called Lumiere, Dordoni helped the unknown luminaire manufacturer Foscarini to make an international breakthrough. Since 1997, he has been directing the creative team at upholstery producer Minotti. With his sense for clear shapes and high-quality fabrics, the company became the industry leader. Dordoni collaborated with almost all famous manufacturers. The list is long but worthy to be named: Artemide, Cassina, Ceramica Flaminia, Dada, Dornbracht, Driade, Emu, Ernestomeda, Fiam Italia, Flos, Flou, Fontana Arte, Kettal, Molteni & C., Moroso, Olivari, Pamar, Roda, RB Rossana, Sambonet, Serralunga, The Rug Company, Venini. With his architectural firm Dordoni Architetti, he designs shops, exhibition stands, restaurants, hotels, and private houses around the globe. We met Rodolfo Dordoni to talk to him about his professional principles and the future of design.

Do you remember when you got your first commercial order for another company? What it was?

It was a sofa called Cuba for Cappellini in 1986, a very simple, minimalistic object. In those days I was not very experienced as a designer but I was quite satisfied with my work.

Since that time you have been working with most of the leading names in the furniture and lighting sectors. From the designer point of view, what is most essential in this collaboration? Are there any professional taboos for you?

I like to work honestly. Honesty in my work means, first of all, to understand what the company really needs and offer to release what is right for it. If it does not work out, you should find another brand to work for. Unfortunately, designers are too individualistic, very often they don’t think about the philosophy of the company, they do what they want, create things just pretending they do it for the brand. Honesty means to understand and feel the customer. Of course, you need to keep in mind products already created under this brand earlier but it does not mean repeating and copying them. I do not have any special taboos. I do not like superficiality in judgments neither in work nor in persons. I also dislike when designers and architects grandstand, instead of focusing on creating a sophisticated, worthy thing.

What are the main principles of your work?

First one, create beautiful things. Secondly, make things with a certain personality. Thirdly, make high-quality and functional long-lasting objects, since designer products are not cheap. nowadays, customers are been imposed the idea of changing ​​trends, artificially stimulating the purchase of new items. Although in reality there is no need and no sense for this.

Where is the line between art and design?

In my opinion, these are completely different things. The main difference between design and art is that design is, first and foremost, a business. And art ends where the question of sales comes to the fore. Art is always a limited edition, and design is the opposite. But now you can see how the business breaks into this sacred domain, trying to present design as a part of the art. These practices are used by American art galleries which often display design objects as a part of their exposition. Personally, I am stunned by this approach, because I believe that art is a way to express an original idea. Of course, you can also try to fit furniture in some concept, it may be, for example, the concept of “three or five legs”, but it is not identical to the ideas of art.

Design for me always means multiple production. If you replicate the art object, it will no longer be art, since it loses its exclusivity. When we talk about design objects presented as “art”, these items will always be a result of mass production, even if it is a limited edition. No matter how unique the interior objects are, they will be a craft, even if it is a very high-level craft, but not art.