Matteo Thun “Chicago Tribune” Stillight Floor Lamp for Bieffeplast, 1985

An iconic and increasingly collectible example of Italian Postmodern design, the “Chicago Tribune” floor lamp was designed by Matteo Thun in collaboration with Andrea Lera for Bieffeplast as part of the celebrated Stillight collection, conceived in 1985. The series represents one of the earliest and most accomplished expressions of Thun’s architectural language following his experience as a founding member of the Memphis Group, translating the vocabulary of monumental architecture into functional lighting.

The Chicago Tribune is the largest and most sculptural model within the Stillight family. Its name pays homage to the famous Chicago Tribune Tower competition and the fascination with American skyscrapers, transforming the verticality of Art Deco architecture into a luminous domestic object. Rather than simply illuminating a room, the lamp behaves like a miniature illuminated building, becoming an architectural presence within the interior.

The composition is built around a tall perforated cylindrical steel tower, its precisely arranged square apertures creating a striking graphic rhythm. Hidden within are three vertical light sources that transform the entire structure into a glowing column of light. As illumination escapes through the hundreds of perforations, the lamp projects a sophisticated pattern of reflections onto the surrounding surfaces, while the satin silver finish subtly changes character throughout the day.

Its monumental shaft rises from a distinctly architectural base composed of stacked geometric volumes and four cylindrical supports, executed in contrasting silver-grey and anthracite lacquered steel. This interplay of cylinders, cubes and horizontal planes perfectly encapsulates the postmodern fascination with pure geometry, proportion and urban references.

Produced by Bieffeplast in Padua, the Stillight collection is today recognized as one of the defining lighting series of the Italian design movement of the mid-1980s and has been included in important museum collections, including Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum in Munich.

This example is an authentic early production and retains its original manufacturer’s label, identifying it as specimen number 56 (“Esemplare n. 56”), an exceptionally desirable feature that confirms both its originality and its place among the first editions produced by Bieffeplast.

The lamp remains in very good original vintage condition. The painted metal surfaces display only light age-related wear and minor signs of use consistent with careful ownership over the past four decades. These subtle traces, together with the original production label, enhance the authenticity and historical character of the piece rather than detract from its presentation.

An outstanding collector’s example of one of Matteo Thun’s most recognizable lighting designs—a sculptural object that effortlessly bridges architecture, art and industrial design, while embodying the radical spirit of Italian Postmodernism.