Jordi Vilanova, Fanal lamps

JORDI VILANOVA i BOSCH (Barcelona, 1925-1998).
Pair of lamps "Fanal".
Flat pieces of black painted iron. Translucent white methacrylate lampshade.
Measurements: 50 x 29 x 27 cm.

Table or suspension lamps model Fanal designed and produced by Jordi Vilanova in 1965. It is a good example of the conjunction that Vilanova carried out between traditional materials and techniques and new materials of industrial type. Its structure consists of flat pieces of black painted iron that form a cross-shaped base and serve as a support for the translucent white methacrylate screen. It is undoubtedly a very versatile piece as it can be both a table lamp and a suspension lamp.

Catalan interior designer and cabinetmaker, Jordi Vilanova entered the School of Work and Artistic Trades of La Lonja in 1939. He completed his training in the workshop of Busquets, and between 1940 and 1953 he collaborated in the studio of Lluís Gili. Jordi Vilanova was founder and promoter of the Catalan art magazine "Questions d'Art" (1967-74). In 1974 he opened premises with a permanent exhibition of furniture and upholstery of his own design, forming part of the Official College of Interior Decorators and Designers of Barcelona and the SAD. His modern furniture and his way of resolving spaces were initially aimed at a large public of limited economic resources and, consequently, homes with less living space. However, this great majority did not understand his proposal. Instead, it was the Catalan bourgeoisie, eager to break with outdated stylistic canons, who embraced his work. His specialty was furniture for children, such as the Delta stool, which won the Delta de Plata Prize awarded by the ADI/FAD in 1964. He held exhibitions of his work in Scandinavia. Among his most representative designs are the Tiracord and Billar chairs (1961), the Montseny MP bunk bed (1961), the Tartera (1966) and Petit (1978) rocking chairs and the Z magazine rack (1987) designed together with his son Pau Vilanova Vila-Abadal. It is currently represented in the Design Museum of Barcelona.