1510 - Luigi Colani (1928, Berlin – 2019, Karlsruhe)

Luigi Colani (1928, Berlin – 2019, Karlsruhe) Mercedes C112 Megastar A design sketch for the Mercedes C112 Megastar, characterized by curved lines and extreme aerodynamics. A distinctive design study by the eccentric designer Luigi Colani, who became known above all for his biomorphic forms that eschewed corners, edges, and right angles—a conviction rooted in his belief that the answer to technical and industrial progress in design could only be found in nature, as reflected in his oft-quoted statement: “The Earth is round; why should design be flat?” Beginning in 1946, Colani studied painting and sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in his hometown of Berlin and subsequently earned a degree in aerodynamics from the Sorbonne in Paris. Initially working in the field of new materials, he switched to automotive design in 1954, where he worked internationally and achieved his first major successes. In addition to designs for Fiat, Alfa Romeo, VW, BMW, and Mercedes, he also created designs for sailboats. In the 1960s, he increasingly devoted himself to the development of extraordinary plastic furniture and collaborated with renowned manufacturers such as Asko, Fritz Hansen, and Cor. In 1972, he opened a “Designfactory” in the moated castle of Harkotten in Westphalia, which set out to permeate nearly every aspect of life through innovative design and revolutionary concepts. At the same time, he began to establish himself in the Japanese market. In the 1980s and 1990s, the designer lived in Japan for periods of time, where he worked for well-known companies such as Sony, Canon, and Yamaha. Colani seamlessly built on these outstanding successes in Asia in the 2000s through various architectural projects, including some in Shanghai. Mixed media on black paper. Signed with the location “TOKYO” and dated 1990. 30 cm x 49.3 cm. Framed. Mixed media on black paper. Signed with the location “Tokyo” and dated 1990.