Over time, Artemide lights have become iconic, artistic objects – and regularly win the world’s most prestigious design awards. Combining stylish design with state-of-the-art lighting technology, they represent unique, vibrant highlights for everything from private living spaces, high-end restaurants, office buildings and swanky hotels.
Artemide gets its name from Artemis – Greek goddess of the hunt, the moon and the wilderness. It is perhaps rather apt then that a pioneering spirit, a desire to explore and a fascination with the vastness of the universe have all played central roles in the company’s development. Emphasis has always been placed on people and their needs in order to improve their quality of life – never forgetting, of course, the company’s responsibility and that of all people to the environment. This is what defines Artemide.
Artemide is an Italian company that produces lights of which many have gone on to become industry icons – and in recent years, the company itself has become somewhat iconic too.
This is because Artemide sets itself the highest aesthetic standards in its stylish and timeless designs. The iconic manufacturer also stands for top quality and, above all, its state-of-the-art lighting technology.
Artemide was founded in 1960 by Italians Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza. It quickly capitalised on new markets, opening its first branch in the United States in 1980 followed by one in Fröndenberg/Ruhr in Germany only 6 years later.
Today, Artemide is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of designer lights, an internationally successful company with 750 employees operating in 24 different countries – a company whose masterpieces are exhibited in 55 showrooms worldwide. Manufacturing facilities in Italy, France, Canada and Hungary, together with glass factories and a company-owned research laboratory, all now form part of the successful designer brand headquartered in Pregnana Milanese, Italy.
The name Artemide comes from one of the most venerated deities in the Greek pantheon – Artemis, goddess of the hunt, the forest and the moon. In fact, celestial bodies – the moon, stars and vast, unexplored galaxies – have been part of this fascinating Italian company since its very inception.
Born in 1931 in San Remo, Italy, the founder of Artemide, Ernesto Gismondi, has long had an interest in all things space-related, building up a professional background in aerospace and rocket technology.
He has been able to live out his passion for innovation, test new materials and make them accessible to people in his own particular way – and the results are truly unique! In collaboration with some of the world’s most renowned designers, but also taking on new talent, the company has created lights that inspire people on all levels. Creations that become iconic, combining the latest technologies with traditional craftsmanship in a unique way to give people a better quality of life and greater sense of well-being.
Besides being one of the top manufacturers of designer living room lighting, Artemide is also among the leading companies in architectural lighting, where they engage in projects around the world with acclaimed architects such as Herzog & de Meuron.
The Human Light – an Artemide philosophy – is all about humans and their needs; the desire for flexible, optimised lighting while protecting the environment with minimal resource consumption; and improving people’s quality of life and sense of well-being. This is what Artemide stands for. Individual lighting solutions are a matter of course for Artemide - the focus is on people and their needs, tailoring lighting to them.
The world we live in is constantly changing and the world of lighting develops with it at a tremendous pace. Artemide is no exception to this – after all, innovation, the relentless pursuit of progress, is one of the motivating forces that drives the Italian manufacturer. It’s not enough to simply use resource-saving materials and support modern technologies such as LEDs – you have to strive tirelessly for the impossible, to make progress in areas yet unknown and to combine all this with the highest artistic standards to create unique products.
The benefit of humans is also not the only concern, as we overlook the environment at our own peril. Yes, “The Human Light” is important, but “The Responsible Light” – another Artemide philosophy – is vital too. Here, Artemide appreciates that increasingly scarce energy resources and mankind’s growing consumption require a global shift in people’s attitude and approach.
As a result, the Italian manufacturer promotes a holistic approach to its products. The entire life cycle of a light is meticulously taken into consideration and processes are carried out in a highly efficient and environmentally-friendly manner – from the selection of raw materials to the manufacturing processes and recycling. The steps taken before production, even before the idea for a product is created, are taken into account as part of this holistic approach.
The Artemide research team works tirelessly to perfect its lighting technology and to optimise the energy efficiency and sustainability of its manufacturing processes. Flexible lighting control via smartphone apps, sound-absorbing lights and lamp data transmission are currently main areas of research at Artemide.
If you’re looking for iconic designs that will look as stylish today as they will in decades to come, then Artemide is the place for you. After all, Artemide lights are works of art created by world-famous artists. They are designs that will outlive any style – their unique character and timeless elegance having already become iconic in the industry.
No matter what you’re looking for – an innovative style or something more classic, a floor lamp, hanging lamp or a table lamp – Artemide is the regular recipient of some of the world’s most prestigious design awards, including the Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award and, on multiple occasions, the Compasso d’Oro, one of the most significant awards for industrial design. It is not surprising then that Artemide’s works of art can be found from people’s homes and businesses to the finest hotels and restaurants – in Paris, London and New York even in the most famous museums in the world!
The Mercury lamp family by Ross Lovegrove, the Cadmo by Karim Rashid, the Empatia by Carlotta Bevilacqua and Paola Di Arianello and the Demetra by Naoko Fukasawa – these are just some of the impressive and award-winning lights from Artemide. The latter two even received the coveted iF Product Design Award in 2014.
The most famous Artemide lamps, which enjoy iconic status around the world and have received numerous design accolades, are the Tizio table lamp by German designer Richard Sapper from 1972, the Tolomeo Tavolo table lamp by Michele De Lucci and Giancarlo Fassina from 1987 and the Eclisse by Vico Magistretti from 1967.
A true classic and probably the most famous desk lamp in the world, Artemide’s Tolomeo table lamp can be found pretty much everywhere – from James Bond blockbusters to elegant hotels, office buildings, shops and showrooms and of course in private homes too.
The secret to Tolomeo’s success is – straightforward, timeless design combined with modern technology and maximum flexibility.
Inspired by old fishermen’s nets in Apulia, Italy, the Tolomeo can be moved in any direction and tailored precisely to your individual needs. The body and head both provide maximum flexibility, with the latter designed to rotate 360°. It is then held in the selected position using a handle. The result is an unparalleled range of motion with maximum comfort – simply delightful.
The Tolomeo lamp was developed in 1987 by designer and architect Michele de Lucchi in collaboration with Giancarlo Fassina. Since it was released by Artemide, Tolomeo has received numerous design awards and accolades, including the Compasso d’Oro (1989), one of the most prestigious awards in the world for industrial design. For over 30 years now, the Tolomeo has set the benchmark for technological innovation, demonstrating its unique ability to transform while remaining true to itself and its character.
Over time, the Tolomeo has evolved into a large family of lights – from table and floor lamps to wall and clip-on lights.
Alongside the Tolomeo, the Tizio table lamp has become somewhat of an industry icon. Created in 1970 by the world-renowned Munich-based product designer Richard Sapper, the Tizio lamp retains its appeal to this day.
With its option of using LED light bulbs, Tizio was one of the first lights to embrace the new low-voltage technology and – thanks to the transformers integrated in the base – was able to supply power without the need for any additional cables.
Combining new technology with functionality and innovative design, Artemide’s Tizio has been a source of inspiration since its creation. With counterbalances built into the lamp, the head and arm could be adjusted into any position, meaning that the tension springs used in other desk lamps were no longer necessary.
Even today, the Tizio table lamp provides many people with the most wonderful light in the most elegant design – cementing its position as a true classic.
With its spherical design and vivid colours, the Eclisse table lamp looks like it’s straight out of the 1970s – and it essentially is! Designed for Artemide in 1967 by the renowned designer, urban planner and architect Ludovico “Vico” Magistretti, Eclisse was awarded the Compasso d’Oro in the same year. The Eclisse is an absolute masterpiece, having achieved iconic status worldwide.
The lamp combines elegant and intelligent design with flexibility for total comfort. The light bulb is encased by a unique lampshade – or rather two lampshades – in the shape of a hemisphere. Sitting inside the outer hemisphere is another hemisphere which can be rotated and works as a dimmer. Therefore it’s easy to personalise the light according to your needs and in doing so create new lighting situations time and time again.
Pirce, Eggboard, Ameluna, Chlorophilia, Tizio, Tolomeo, Demetra, Melampo Notte, Droplet Mini, Talo, Surf 300…– just a small selection of the extensive range by the Italian light manufacturer Artemide. Who is behind these unique designs that shine beautifully in living spaces, hotels, offices and museums? The designers and artists who produce these wonderful lights for Artemide are among the most renowned people in their field.
The Italian designer and architect Michele De Lucchi, the German industrial designer Richard Sapper, the Scottish designer Ross Lovegrove, the American Karim Rashid and the Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake are just some of the many creative minds who have left their mark on Artemide. Founder Ernesto Gismondi and his wife Carlotta Bevilacqua, another well-known Italian designer and architect, have also contributed to the success of this unique company.
In addition to these well-known artists, talented up-and-coming designers are promoted and find room at Artemide for their creative ideas.
Headquarters: Pregnana Milanese, Italy
Founded: 1960
Founder: Ernesto Gismondi, Sergio Mazza
Awards: Compasso d'Oro | Red Dot Design Award | Wallpaper Design Award | iF Product Design Award
Address:
Artemide S.p.A.
Via Bergamo 18
20010 - Pregnana Milanese
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