'Angelo Necessario' Wall Unit by Paolo Pallucco and Mireille Rivier, Italy, 1989

Designed by Paolo Pallucco and Mireille Rivier in 1989 for Pallucco, the ‘Angelo Necessario’ wall unit represents a significant moment within late 20th-century Italian design. The work was presented as part of a seminal exhibition staged in a former slaughterhouse in Milan, a deliberately chosen setting whose raw, industrial character underscored the radical and conceptual nature of the designs. Pallucco and Rivier are widely recognized for their nonconformist approach, consistently positioning their work at the intersection of art and design.

This example corresponds to the original and highly sought-after suspended version, conceived as an abstract representation of a fallen angel with outstretched wings. Anchored to the wall at only two points, the structure appears to float, reinforcing its conceptual and visual lightness. The composition combines metal and wood, with horizontal shelves seemingly supported by the open, wing-like framework. The clarity of construction and precision of execution reflect the designers’ meticulous attention to detail. Priced individually.