The New Seki-Han
Tobia Scarpa, born in 1935, is one of Italy’s most distinguished architects and designers. The son of Carlo Scarpa and husband to the lateAfra Scarpa, he is celebrated for his poetic approach to buildings. He talks to Deyan Sudjic about the Seki-Han, an early design for Flos that followed the Fantasma lamp, which marked the beginning of his relationship with the company. Seki-Han is once again in production, reflecting the continuing relevance of Tobia Scarpa’s work
- Words Deyan Sudjic
- Photography Robert Rieger
Tobia Scarpa did not make his first visit to Japan until some years after the Seki-Han light was launched in 1963, but both he and his father were already fascinated by Japanese culture. In the late 1960s Tobia was commissioned to design an exhibition of Italian furniture staged in Tokyo, and travelled to oversee that installation in person. Italy at the time was developing its own version of modernity, filtering a range of influences and at the same time making the transition from skilled artisan workshops to industrial production. Scarpa, both the father and the son, were born and educated in Venice. They are products of that unique city with its special craft traditions and a very
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