Design product design

The CACTUS by Gufram from 1972 to the Most “Boring” Version

Ripercorriamo la storia e molte della collaborazioni che hanno visto il CACTUS di Gufram trasformarsi e adattarsi a personalità diametralmente diverse

2 years ago

Collater.al Contributors

For over fifty years, the CACTUS by Gufram has represented the spirit of Italian radical design, evolving through eras and trends with its unmistakable silhouette. Created in 1972 by designers Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, this iconic multifunctional object has inspired bold reinterpretations through collaborations with internationally renowned artists and designers. Today, with the arrival of the BORING CACTUS, the “boring” version of the sculpture, it’s the perfect opportunity to revisit its evolution and most famous editions.

Over the years, the CACTUS® has been transformed into multiple variations: from the psychedelic version by Paul Smith to the three ANDY’S CACTUS created with the Andy Warhol Foundation, to the irreverent SHROOM CACTUS with A$AP Rocky. Each collaboration has added a new piece to its story. The BORING CACTUS, however, overturns this tradition with a shade of gray that breaks away from the vibrancy of the past, once again demonstrating Gufram’s ability to reinvent itself without betraying its essence.

Originally conceived as an unconventional coat rack, the CACTUS® has become an icon of experimentation and provocation, redefining the concept of domestic objects and transforming into a functional work of art. Its structure, characterized by four arms and 2,165 studs entirely hand-crafted, combines softness and durability, ensuring timeless longevity. Made of flexible polyurethane and finished with Guflac® paint, it is exhibited in prestigious institutions such as the Triennale in Milan, the National Art Museum of China, the Barbican in London, and the Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, confirming its status as a symbol of Italian creativity.

The Most Iconic Collaborations

Gufram has created memorable editions of the CACTUS® by collaborating with world-renowned artists and designers: GOD by TOILETPAPER, PSYCHEDELIC CACTUS and SUNRISE CACTUS by Paul Smith, RADIANT CACTUS by ORDOVAS Gallery, the three ANDY’S CACTUS with the Andy Warhol Foundation, and SHROOM CACTUS with A$AP Rocky.

Added to the Gufram collection in a non-limited edition, the BORING CACTUS® maintains the same craftsmanship as its predecessors but introduces a new minimalist aesthetic, naturally adapting to any environment.

Versatile and bold, the CACTUS by Gufram continues to be an icon of radical design, capable of surprising and fitting into even the most ordinary spaces. Collaboration after collaboration, it demonstrates an extraordinary ability to reinvent itself, confirming its status as a timeless symbol of contemporary design.