22 - MANFREDO MASSIRONI (Padua, 1937–2011) for Nikol International.

MANFREDO MASSIRONI (Padua, 1937–2011) for Nikol International. “Tyco” convex wall shelf. Black-lacquered MDF. Good vintage condition. Measurements: 240 x 240 x 50 cm. Wall-mounted shelving unit with a geometric composition and convex profile, made of lacquered plywood. Its modular structure creates a semicircular volume that appears to emerge from the wall, transforming a functional element into a unique sculptural composition. The arrangement of the shelves and the alternation of straight and curved lines produce an interesting optical effect, altering the perception of volume depending on the viewer’s perspective. Designed around 1970, the Tyco represents an exceptional foray of optical art into domestic furniture. Its conception reflects Massironi’s research on visual perception and the relationships between geometry, space, and movement, previously developed within the context of Gruppo N, an avant-garde collective founded in Padua in 1959. In collaboration with Nikol International, the designer applied these principles to industrial design, creating a piece that combines functionality, modularity, and formal experimentation. Manfredo Massironi was a leading figure in Italian kinetic art during the second half of the 20th century. Trained as an architect, he was one of the founding members of Gruppo N in 1959, a collective that, together with Milan’s Gruppo T, revolutionized research on visual perception, movement, and viewer participation. His work is part of major international collections, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).