Ettore Sottsass – Rebel and Poet Exhibition

The Schaudepot, the “depot d’for exhibitions” of the Vitra Design Museum, designed by architectsHerzog & De Meuron will host an exhibition until 24th September 2017 dedicated to designer Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) for the centenary of his birth.

"Ettore Sottsass – Rebel and Poet" is the title of the exhibition that focuses on some of Sottsass’ poetic, unconventional objects that challenged bourgeois tastes from the ‘50s onwards. The public is invited to view some of the key elements of Sottsass’ professional development, created by the designer in his roles as artistic director of thePoltronova furniture company (1958-1974), as a designer forOlivetti (from 1957), and his projects for the Memphis Group.
These objects include the Valentine typewriter (1969) a symbol of pop design, the Califfo sofa (1964) and the Cubirolo cabinet (1974) but also rarer objects like the Tappeto Volante armchair (1974). There are also objects designed for the Memphis Group, whose bright colours, shapes and forms innovated the formal language of post-modern design. The Carlton bookcase (1981) the Ashoka (1981) and Tahiti lights (1981) and the Tartar table(1985) are examples of furniture and accessories that go beyond the vision of design linked to mere practicality and become true icons.

(Agnese Bifulco)

Title: Ettore Sottsass – Rebel and Poet
Date: 14th July – 24th September 2017
Curator: Heng Zhi
Place: Vitra Schaudepot, Weil am Rhein, Germany

Images courtesy of Vitra, photo: Jürgen Hans
Images courtesy Studio Ettore Sottsass, photo: Ettore Sottsass
www.design-museum.de

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