Together with Ulisse, Konstantin Grcic developed the idea of a daybed, combining the symbolic nature of a simple daybed with the materiality of an elegant and perfectly crafted piece of furniture in the tradition of modernism.
The adjustment mechanism of the daybed and the cross-section of the legs are inspired by the classic designs of Charlotte Perriand and Eileen Gray, their modernity and precision, and harmoniously blend with the ClassiCon collection.
Ulisse is a daybed that has become a symbol of relaxation and comfort, and with its wide, freely stretchable lying surface, it looks like a daybed pictogram.
With its simple, symbolic elegance, the daybed evokes associations with archaic furniture of African or Japanese origin that inspired many modernist designers. Uliss is thus much more than a purely functional piece of furniture: it becomes an expression of the connection between modernism and the present, a symbol of a moment of rest and luxury.
Konstantin Grcic continues his collaboration with ClassiCon, which started 25 years ago with Ulisse and resulted in successful designs such as the Diana side tables and the Pallas coffee table. While his early designs for ClassiCon were predominantly concerned with industrial production and a techno-constructive aesthetic, Ulisse places a deliberate emphasis on the increasingly important quality of craftsmanship, production and materials in his more recent designs. Working with solid wood, in contrast to the use of semi-finished materials, requires that every material thickness and detail is precisely defined and can be produced to the appropriate perfection. Ulisse thus becomes an important development step in the long-term collaboration between ClassiCon and one of the most influential contemporary designers.
