Timeless Design by Brionvega

Over the course of 60 years of life in Italian design, the Brionvega company has worked with the most famous and innovative designers of the contemporary scene, producing timeless iconic objects that have furnished the history of the 20th century and that, thanks to the recognition of scholars and art and design museums and books, have taken on the role of true objects of art.

Reborn today thanks to SIM2, the group has dedicated itself to rebuilding the foundations and structure of this legendary company: small in the world of consumer electronics, but extraordinarily important for the development and diffusion of that Italian art and Made in Italy that is not only form, but real culture and substance of life of Italian design.

In 2023, you launched a new limited edition version of the iconic rr226 radio phonograph with a Cherry wood finish. Could you explain the thought process behind this idea?

Unquestionably, our decision to adopt a new Cherry wood finish can be attributed to our company's unwavering dedication towards utilizing superior materials, in this specific instance, wood. They are integral in creating distinguishable products that have solidified BRIONVEGA's reputation as a renowned global brand over the years.
At the end of 2020, on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the radio-phonograph, our company issued a limited edition series of 100 pieces in a Canaletto walnut finish, entitled 'PRIMO' [ndt “First” in Italian] to celebrate the very first radio-phonograph prototype.
Given the remarkable success of this series (which concluded in early 2023), we have been looking into other wood essences or materials that could have a connection to history, culture, and/or geography as significant as the Canaletto walnut wood.
With this in mind, we decided to honor the radio phonograph by incorporating the timeless beauty and grace of Cherry wood. This wood symbolizes nature's renewal after winter, making it a perfect choice for our design. Due to its stunning aesthetic and durability, Cherry wood has always been highly valued in the "Cultura dell’Abitare" (Culture of Living) both in Italy and around the world. In Japan, the Cherry tree holds a special significance among other types of wood: it represents beauty and the transience of time, with its iconic flowers (sakura) blooming and falling quickly before giving way to exquisite fruits.

Your brand is not only historic but also iconic. In over 60 years, you have collaborated with the most renowned and innovative designers in the contemporary art scene. What was your experience collaborating with such figures in the design industry?

Throughout its extensive history, our company has had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most brilliant and influential minds in both Italian and international industrial design. We’re referring to great masters the likes of the Castiglioni brothers, Marco Zanuso, Richard Sapper, Ettore Sottsass, Mario Bellini, and others. Over the years, each has brought a unique vision and talent to their projects for Brionvega. Conversely, the company has not only leveraged their intuitions but, most notably, has been able to direct these exceptional minds to produce masterpieces - using cutting-edge production methods and materials - that, in some cases, have made history in the design world. These pieces are now exhibited in the most important contemporary art museums, including the MoMA in NY, La Triennale in Milan, and The London Design Museum, to name a few.
We are referring to the following products: the radio cube designed by Marco Zanuso & Richard Sapper, the radio-phonograph by Fratelli Castiglioni, and the totem pole by Mario Bellini, but we could mention many others. Due to their aesthetic but, above all, cultural significance, the company has decided to reintroduce these products, preserving the features that embodied their unique appeal and success at the time. This is the fundamental reason why the manufacturing of items like the radio-phonograph and totem strictly adheres to the designs and materials of the original project. Furthermore, it involves a handcrafting production process that necessitates collaboration among multiple artisans from northeast Italy.

Brionvega has evolved over the years, staying true to its values while also embracing change. What do you foresee for the future of the brand?

During the transition from the 1960s to the 1980s, a consumer electronics company renowned for its profound appreciation for design, architecture, and aesthetic excellence had the remarkable foresight to engage with some of the most astute experts in industrial design and architecture. Collaboration during that particular era resulted in truly iconic pieces of world-class industrial design that have withstood the test of time, retaining their allure and significance even in the present day.
As such, our primary endeavor is to bring our exceptional and enduring creations - namely the radio-phonograph, the totem, and the cube - beyond the museum walls and back into the spotlight for an audience increasingly drawn to objects that evoke nostalgia and serve as cultural touchstones.
This holds true not only for these three iconic pieces but also for other objects created by Brionvega over the years that have the possibility to gain recognition and success in various markets. As we move forward, fully aware of the immense responsibility that comes with this ambitious venture, we are actively considering new collaborations with talented young designers to expand our product line while staying true to the core values that have defined Brionvega throughout its history.