Lee F. Mindel Expands Sculptural Veritas Collection for Ralph Pucci


After spending several months as an artist-in-residence at the RALPH PUCCI sculpture studio in New York City, architect Lee F. Mindel has expanded his Veritas collection for the RALPH PUCCI brand. Recently on view at Galerie56, the six new pieces build on the possibilities of PUCCI’s proprietary Plasterglass material through evocative forms that give nod to global destinations and elevated craftsmanship. Veritas means truth and honor in Latin, elevating the stories of the artisans that created the collection through a lens of perceived effortlessness, despite the material’s unique challenges.

Modern living room with a curved beige sofa, white oval coffee table, circular wall mirror, and two wall sconces. The space has blue walls and a minimalist design.

The Pont Royal Sofa embodies the spirit of Parisian refinement and beauty. Elevating details to features, this take on seating is welcoming, elegant, and cohesive, blending well with the other elements in the room. We can see the Santorini Coffee Table evoking images of waterways and arches of bridges reflected in murky depths. The use of light blue, both in the walls and in the rug, helps freshen every piece in the room, giving a clean and tidy effect despite the handmade nature of the pieces. The Rialto Bench shares similar design language with the Santorini Coffee Table, utilizing the same mold in the sculpture studio to form its arched structure.

A modern showroom with a beige curved sofa, white oval coffee table, and unique wall and floor lamps. Blue and white color scheme with large glass windows and circular wall decoration.

Modern interior with a white curved sofa, oval coffee table, gray pillar, and wall-mounted lights on a blue and white backdrop. A round mirror is on the wall. Floor features a light blue rug.

A minimalistic white console table with an arch stands against a blue wall, beneath three sculptural wall sconces casting light upwards. A concrete pillar is on the left.

The Santorini Console is a great example of the casting technique utilized in the collection, building upon the artisans knowledge of Plasterglass and the inherent limitations of the material. “We were thinking about these forms and what they represented, and then by moving them around, resculpting, shaping, and carving, we realized that we wanted nothing to be literal, and we wanted nothing to be copied from something else, but to be their own fresh version of something,” shares Mindel.

Geometric wall sculpture beside a textured, white wall-mounted light fixture against a blue wall. Concrete pillar visible on the left.

Two tall, white, modern lamps with curved shades on a pedestal. One emits a yellow light and the other a cool white light. Three framed artworks on a gray wall in the background.

Two modern Veritas white ceramic table lamps with connected bases and beige cylindrical shades sit elegantly on a white surface, illuminated against a plain wall.

Modern showroom with sleek, curved furniture, large cylindrical sculpture visible through glass walls, and minimalistic decor with neutral tones.

Modern interior with a sleek white table and chairs near large windows, featuring a unique tall lamp and urban street view outside.

A modern office lobby with curved walls, a floor lamp, white tables, and large windows showing a city street reflection outside.

Modern interior with a white table and two chairs near large windows. A tall, sculptural lamp and a circular ceiling light illuminate the space. Concrete column and sheer curtains are visible.

A modern, circular pendant light designed by Veritas hangs from the ceiling with a matte finish. Supported by four cables, it elegantly complements the backdrop of large windows and sheer curtains, echoing the sophisticated style of Lee F. Mindel.

The Circle Game Chandelier also debuts, featuring a dynamic, ringed shape that mimics the circular form of the Double Take Mirrors.

Modern gallery with reflective mirrored wall, showcasing abstract art. Three round, multicolored stools are in the foreground. Glass wall and concrete elements are visible.

Modern interior with a tall, white floor lamp and three round, white tables with glass tops in front of a storefront window displaying the text "Veritas" and "56".

Hand-built forms take center stage, creating a dialogue between modern design and public perception of craft. Mindel adds: “The creative experience is a collaborative one – we learn from the craftsmen about who Pucci really is, and how we could perhaps together go somewhere that each of us couldn’t go on our own. Another thing that concerned us was a consciousness about waste, and economy of material. The hardest thing I think in design is to make things seem inevitable, that things look effortless to do in the end, that you can’t imagine them any other way. These things usually take the most effort.”

Modern art gallery with reflective, curved glass exterior. Interior features sculptures, framed artwork, and minimalist furniture in a softly lit setting.

Lee F. Mindel is an architect and designer who worked with RALPH PUCCI’s Master Sculptor to better understand the capabilities of Plasterglass, which can be molded, pigmented, and waxed to create different effects. Veritas, meaning ‘truth’, is an homage to his alma mater, Harvard, and signifies how Mindel treats the practice of architecture. “As architects, our work is in pursuit of rigor and honesty, with the intent to transcend the ordinary, in search of the extraordinary,” Mindel says.

Modern gallery exterior with large glass windows showcasing contemporary art pieces and minimalist furniture. Soft indoor lighting illuminates the space.

Storefront with large windows displaying modern furniture and lighting. The number "240" is visible above the entrance.

To learn more about the Veritas collection by Lee F. Mindel for RALPH PUCCI, visit ralphpucci.com or galerie56.com.

Photography by Antoine Bootz.





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