Sunday, 26 January 2014

Ettore Sottsass





"Ettore Sottsass was born in 1917 and died in 2007.  He was an Italian architect and designer and his designs influenced many different designers."- Wikipedia (2014)


 In 1939, he graduated from the Politecnico Di Turin with a degree in architecture.  He served in the Italian military and after World War two he returned home and began his own architectural and design studio in Milan, Italy. In 1955, he was hired as a design consultant for Olivetti where he design office equipment.  Whilst working along Olivetti's son, he made his name as a designer.  Sottsass became famous for his ability to bring office furniture into Pop culture.


Ettore Sottsass, converted every day items into post modern furniture.  He did this by using striking, bold colours.  He also used harsh straight lines which made his work stand out even more.  "Being a consultant for Olivetti, he designed very memorable products."- Encyclopaedia Britannica 



Some critics at the time accused his works of being too "bold", however as his works and himself as a designer, became more and more popular, there were nothing but good comments.  People were fascinated at the simplicity yet 'fun' look of the products.


Some of his works were gathered for an exhibition.  The works in the exhibition represent "the critical period encompassing the late 1950's to the late 1960's, illustrating his evolution from commercial experimentation towards the establishment of and aesthetic credo that was resolved, defined , and invested with highly personal mythologies"- Christies Private Sales





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