Dezeenwire: architect Alessandro Mendini returns as editor-in-chief of Domus magazine, 30 years after he first edited the Italian architecture and design title. He is to edit eleven issues, commencing with April 2010. See press release below.

ALESSANDRO MENDINI AT THE HELM

The April edition of Domus sees the return of Alessandro Mendini.

His reinstatement as Editor-in-chief of the publication follows the departure of Flavio Albanese at the end of a three year term. Mendini will edit eleven issues of the monthly publication. The first issue of his new tenure will be presented in April to coincide with the Salone del Mobile international furniture fair.

The choice of Mendini as editor-in-chief represents both innovation and continuity for this historic publication looking to re-establish its original vocation. Universally recognized as one of Italy’s foremost authorities on design, Mendini has the undisputed ability to synthesize the fabric and history of both theory and practice in contemporary architecture, with particular attention to Italian architecture and design. According to Mendini, “The slogan for the new Domus will be 'for a new utopia'. The history of grand transformations in architecture and design is marked by the new utopias, and it is our intention to pursue this opening line. To scour the world in search of projects that demonstrate scenarios and attitudes of living that represent a positive way of looking to the future. Not so much new utopias of a technical nature, but rather humanistic and psychological: the ecology of exterior environments is preceded by that of interiors. In this sense the new Domus re-establishes its links with its origins as a 'Magazine for the home', offering examples of the dignity of living the city, objects and the home. The new design of the magazine will also evoke memories of the Domus of the past through the classic, radiant sequencing of its articles and images.”

Next year Mendini will hand the editorship of the magazine over to Joseph Grima, who has already been charged with overseeing the independent development of Domus’ web and new media content. “In an era in which images and information circulate freely, quickly and in abundance”, he explains, “Domus is looking to the future, highlighting its role as an agile interpreter of contemporary design culture. It is ready to evolve, keeping abreast of those same creative and artistic disciplines of which it is one of the most respected voices.”

The choice of Grima is indicative of the desire to see the Domus brand achieve greater outreach through a broader international perspective and tighter integration between its various communication channels, thereby offering its readers a renewed outlook on design and architecture, new topics for discussion and the exposure to new influences.

Grima continues: “Domus intends to redefine, as it already has done many times in the past, the process through which contemporary architecture, art, design and urban space are narrated, focusing particular attention on a context of intellectual production that knows no cultural barriers or physical frontiers. It will operate across a variety of communication platforms and offer a radically different take on contemporary design culture, no longer centered on the one-way transmission of information but rather on the idea of creating a platform for continuous dialogue and exchange between the design and artistic communities around the world.”

Thanks to Mendini and Grima and their respective interests, specialisms and ideas, the Domus of the coming years will offer readers an extraordinarily rich and authoritative outlook on contemporary design culture.

Editorial continuity will be guaranteed by Stefano Casciani, who will continue his mandate as deputy editor of the publication. Domus therefore consolidates its leading role as an international magazine on architecture, art and design. For over 80 years the publication has kept abreast of, promoted and anticipated architectural and artistic movements and every sort of creative impulse, providing a valuable information service for both the public and specialists.

Entirely bilingual (Italian and English), Domus is international in its format, content and circulation and to date over 45% of the 51,000 copies sold are distributed abroad in 88 countries. Domus also appears in Russian, Arab, Israeli and Chinese editions.

ALESSANDRO MENDINI is an architect who was born in Milan. He has been editor-in-chief of Casabella, Modo and Domus magazines. Monographs about his work and his experiences with the Alchimia studio have appeared in several languages.

He creates objects, furnishings, surroundings, paintings, installations and architectural structures. He collaborates with international companies and is a consultant for different firms, even in the Far East, whom he helps to find solutions to their image and design problems. He is an honorary member of Jerusalem’s Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. He received a Golden Compass award for design in 1979 and 1981. In France he was made a 'Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres' and received an honorary title from the Architectural League in New York. Milan Polytechnic awarded him an Honorary Degree and he has an Honorary Professorship with the Academic Council of Guangzhou Academy of fine Arts in China. His works are to be found in different museums and private collections and his theoretical and written works, in addition to his work as a designer cross the boundaries between art, design and architecture. In 1989 he and his brother Francesco, also an architect, opened their professional studio named Atelier Mendini.

JOSEPH GRIMA studied architecture at the Architectural Association, London, and has since worked internationally as an editor, curator, writer and critic in the fields of architecture, art and design. From 2007 to 2010 he directed Storefront for Art and Architecture, an internationally renowned gallery and events space in New York City devoted to the advancement of innovative positions in architecture and art. As an independent curator and researcher, he has conceived and designed numerous installations in internationally renowned events and institutions such as the Venice Biennale of Architecture, the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Triennale of Architecture/Urbanism, the Architectural Association and Beijing Planning Hall. He is the author of Instant Asia (Skira, 2007), a critical overview of the recent work of young and emerging architecture practices across the Asian continent, Shift: SANAA and the New Museum (Lars Müller, 2008), and has contributed to numerous other books and publications. He has previously worked as an editorial consultant at Domus and special correspondent for Abitare. His essays and articles have been published in a wide range of international magazines including AD, Abitare, Domus, Tank, Urban China and Volume, as well as the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore.

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