Since 1964, when Cesare Cassina travelled to Padua to purchase some of the artist’s drawings, the histories of the company and of Gaetano Pesce have been closely intertwined.
The architect and designer spent much of his time at the Cassina Research and Development Centre in Meda, a place of experimentation where many of his innovations were conceived. Over the years, this partnership has brought to life numerous models with an avant-garde soul, including Dalila. Inspired by the famous biblical parable of Samson and Delilah, this small armchair is a true statement piece for the Maestro’s unconventional spirit.
Pesce wanted to create “series objects that are different, just as human beings are different”, using serial production to make designs that were similar but never identical, transferring the uniqueness of a work of art to industrial production.
A vision that defied and challenged industry standards at the time and that Cassina had the foresight to embrace, giving form and expression to Pesce’s creative genius. Today, Dalila comes back to life thanks to meticulous philological research carried out by Cassina together with Studio Pesce on the original designs from 1980, giving life to a new indoor proposal and a completely unprecedented version for the outdoors.
Available with or without armrests and designed for dining areas, Dalila is characterised by its sinuous shapes made of flexible polyurethane foam coated with a thin coloured elastomeric layer that makes the seat welcoming and comfortable. Cassina highlights the visionary spirit of this piece through a sophisticated production technique that minimises its joints to emphasise the continuity and purity of the design. To enhance the fluid forms of the seat, a carefully selected colour palette.