Discover the life and legacy of Altina Schinasi Biography, a visionary artist, inventor, and designer known for her iconic “Harlequin eyeglass frame.” Explore her artistic journey and groundbreaking inventions that revolutionized the eyewear industry. Learn about her passion for art, filmmaking, and art therapy. Delve into the inspiring story of this remarkable artist and her contributions to the world of creativity and innovation.
Altina Schinasi Biography: The Visionary Artist and Inventor
Contents
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Altina Schinasi |
| Birth Date | August 4, 1907 |
| Birth Place | Schinasi Mansion, Upper West Side, Manhattan, USA |
| Education | Horace Mann School, Dana Hall School |
| Studied In | New York, Paris |
| Profession | Sculptor, Filmmaker, Entrepreneur, Window Dresser, Designer, Inventor |
| Famous For | Designing the “Harlequin eyeglass frame” (Cat-eye glasses) |
| Father’s Name | Morris Schinasi |
| Mother’s Name | Laurette Schinasi (formerly Ben Rubi) |
| Mother’s Legacy | Established “Moris Sinasi Cocuk Hastahanesi” (Moris Sinasi Children’s Hospital) in Manisa, Turkey |
| Window Dresser | Worked with Peter Copeland and Salvador Dalí |
| Studied Under | Samuel Halpert, George Grosz |
| Harlequin Frame | Designed and marketed in the late 1930s |
| Achievements | Won Lord & Taylor Annual American Design Award in 1939 |
| Magazine Praise | Vogue and Life magazines credited her for revolutionizing the eyewear industry and aesthetic |
| California Years | Moved to Los Angeles in the 1940s and focused on her art |
| Art Therapy | Worked as a volunteer art therapist and muralist at Synanon |
| Documentary Film | Produced “George Grosz’ Interregnum” which won First Prize at the Venice Film Festival |
| March on Washington | Acquired film rights, but the film was never made |
| Chairacters | Created and sculpted “fantastic chairs and benches” inspired by Cartier-Bresson’s photographs |
| Later Life | Relocated to Washington D.C. in 1973 and continued her artistic endeavors |
| Spouse | Married Celestino Miranda in 1981 |
Altina Schinasi, born on August 4, 1907, was a remarkable American sculptor, filmmaker, entrepreneur, window dresser, designer, and inventor. Her creativity and ingenuity left an indelible mark on various fields, earning her well-deserved fame.
Early Life and Artistic Pursuits Born into the Schinasi family, Altina spent her early years in the opulent Schinasi Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. After receiving homeschooling, she attended the Horace Mann School before leaving home at the age of twelve to study at Dana Hall School in Massachusetts. Her journey into the world of art began in Paris, where she studied painting under her cousin, René Bensussan. This experience kindled a deep passion for art, prompting her to choose art school over college upon her return to New York. There, she further honed her artistic skills under the guidance of Samuel Halpert at the Roerich Museum.
The Harlequin Eyeglass Frame – A Fashion Icon Altina Schinasi’s breakthrough moment came in the late 1930s when she designed the iconic “Harlequin eyeglass frame,” later known as cat-eye glasses. Disappointed by the uninspiring eyeglass frames in a store’s window, she set out to create something whimsical, romantic, and mysterious. Inspired by the Harlequin mask, she started cutting masks into the frames, leading to the creation of a unique and glamorous design. Altina’s innovative eyeglass frames transformed eyewear into a fashion statement, revolutionizing the industry. Her avant-garde designs received accolades, and she won the Lord & Taylor Annual American Design Award in 1939. Vogue and Life magazines praised her for redefining eyewear aesthetics.
Venturing into Filmmaking and Art Beyond eyeglasses, Altina explored other creative endeavors. In the 1940s, she moved to Los Angeles to dedicate more time to her art. There, she studied under Howard Warshaw at the Jepson School of Art. Her large paintings caught the attention of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), earning her a spot in a juried show. Simultaneously, she engaged in philanthropic work, serving as a volunteer art therapist and muralist at the experimental mental health center, Synanon.
As a filmmaker, Altina conceptualized and produced the short documentary “George Grosz’ Interregnum” in California. The film showcased the anti-Nazi work of her former teacher, George Grosz, and earned critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination and First Prize at the Venice Film Festival.
Social Advocacy and Unfulfilled Dreams Altina Schinasi’s passion for social justice led her to acquire film rights to Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington. Engaging the author John Oliver Killens to write the screenplay, she even met Dr. King to deliver the script. However, despite interest from Italian director Vittorio De Sica, funding challenges prevented the film from being realized.
In her later years, Altina continued to create unique sculptures, called “characters,” inspired by a photograph by Cartier-Bresson. She combined the functionality of seats with the forms of sitters, displaying her artistic flair.
Altina Schinasi’s legacy remains a testament to her artistic brilliance, inventive spirit, and unwavering commitment to social causes. Her Harlequin eyeglass frame continues to inspire fashion trends even today, and her films and artwork continue to captivate audiences worldwide. As a trailblazer in multiple disciplines, she demonstrated that creativity knows no bounds and can be a powerful tool for positive change.
Altina Schinasi is famous for several reasons:
- Harlequin Eyeglass Frame: One of her most significant contributions was designing the “Harlequin eyeglass frame” in the late 1930s, which became popularly known as cat-eye glasses. Her innovative and whimsical design revolutionized the eyewear industry, transforming eyeglasses into a fashion accessory.
- Filmmaking: Altina produced the short documentary film “George Grosz’ Interregnum” in California. The film featured the anti-Nazi work of the celebrated artist George Grosz, who was also her former teacher. The film was nominated for an Academy Award and won First Prize at the Venice Film Festival.
- Artistic Career: Altina was a skilled sculptor and painter. She pursued her artistic passion throughout her life, and her large paintings were selected for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) juried show.
- Social Activism: She was an active advocate for civil rights and social justice causes. Altina was drawn to Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington and acquired film rights for a screenplay about it, although the film was never made due to funding challenges.
- Characters: Altina created unique and fantastic chairs and benches called “characters” inspired by a photograph by Cartier-Bresson. These sculptures combined the function of a seat with the form of the sitter, showcasing her creativity and artistic vision.
Overall, Altina Schinasi’s fame stems from her talents as an artist and filmmaker, her innovative designs in the eyewear industry, and her dedication to social activism and advocacy. Her work and contributions continue to be remembered and celebrated in the realms of art, fashion, and social history.
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