Design impresario Cleto Munari has enlisted nine world renowned architects, visual and literary artists to re-think the table.

(Click the images below for full sized images)

A Cena con Paolo Uccello by Mimmo Paladino

Beginning with a collaboration with Italian architect Carlo Scarpa in the seventies, Munari has produced several collections; sterling silver tableware, jewelry, Murano glass, watches, pens, and now limited edition tables.

For Munari's "Re-Thinking the Table" project the renowned architects, visual and literary artists chosen worked in complete freedom without the limitations of market or production constraints.

The participants created functional art that reflects their personal design motifs, from the graphic bridges by Mario Botta to angled swords that slice the surface of Mimmo Paladino's table (above, inspired by Paolo Uccello's 15th century masterpiece, The Battle of San Romano).

Io sono te? I am you? by Lawrence Ferlinghetti

This is the first time Munari has collaborated with poets - Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Mark Strand created tables using their language and drawings.

Il Ponte by Mario Botta

Mario Botta envisioned the table as a literal bridge, the surface a cross section of his life's work.

Il Ponte by Mario Botta, detail

Tavolo by Alessandro Mendini

Alessandro Mendini engraved his "graphic doilies" in a "spontaneous eruption of the architect's conceptual doodles." (detail below).

Tavolo by Alessandro Mendini, detail

Le Palafitte by Cleto Munari

In tribute to Venice, Cleto Munari's table is called Palafitte with Memphis-inspired cylindrical legs that represent the petrified pilings of wood on which Venice is built. The table is currently being exhibited at Villa Contarini as part of the 2011 Venice Biennale.

It is Cleto Munari's friendships with Scarpa, Mendini and Ettore Sottsass that have inspired his various explorations, says Munari, "My story is a simple one, of friendship with those who have shared my love of art, design poetry, of working and 'making' things in these fascinating, ineffable fields." Munari's goal is to work with people that "did not belong to the well-defined and limited world of design" which is why he invites poets and artists to join with architects to create what he considers "an ideal of beauty."

Munari is launching the first Furnishings Collection with nine international architects, poets and artists - each table in the Collection will be produced in a signed limited edition of 9, 99 or 999.

+ cletomunari.com