Works by Michele De Lucchi at Ingo Maurer, Munich

From February 4, 2010, the Italian architect and designer Michele De Lucchi will show a selection of his small wooden architecture models at Ingo Maurer’s space in Munich, Kaiserstrasse 47. Opening and artist talk by Mr. De Lucchi on February 4, 2010, starting at 6 pm. The small wooden houses are studies, born from the desire to experiment and research independent from the clients’ needs. Most of the sculptural works are made of solid wooden blocks, which Mr. De Lucchi models with a chainsaw. The architect said he realized the wish to work manually with wood while sharpening pencils with a penknife. “I moved from the lightness and quietness of the pencil to the roughness and din of the chainsaw, but without sacrificing my effort to treat the wood tenderly, as if it were paper, with effects that may be random but never mechanical“, says De Lucchi in a text about the models. „These are not necessarily houses to be built; they were not made to add houses to houses. I am still wondering why I do these wood houses and why they look so nice so small and twisted, whereas they would be so ugly built on a real scale, all straight and perfect, with their gutters and sealed windows, their shutters and balconies and switches to turn on the lights.“, he continues. Michele De Lucchi has been active as architect and designer since 1973, working for many of the most renowned companies. He also teaches design and has curated several exhibitions. Ingo Maurer has known Michele De Lucchi since many years and cherishs him as a person as well as his work. The Salone del Mobile in Milan provides occasion for regular exchange of opinions. “The models have a unique expression – one senses Michele’s personality when looking at them.”, says Ingo Maurer. “It’s wonderful to see Michele in Munich, and to have the wooden houses here with us. It’s a perfect start for the exhibitions of other designers and artists we hope to organize here in Kaiserstrasse.” www.ingo-maurer.com