Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007)

Ettore Sottsass was an Italian architect and designer who was one of the leading figures of the Memphis Group, a design movement that emerged in the 1980s. He was born in Austria in 1917 and studied architecture at the Politecnico di Torino. Sottsass’s design approach was characterized by a rejection of the austere, functionalist design of the modernist movement and a focus on color, texture, and pattern. His most famous works include the Carlton bookcase, the Tahiti lamp, and the Valentine typewriter.

Sottsass was a highly influential figure in the design world, and his work had a significant impact on the Postmodern design movement. He believed that design should be playful and expressive, and his work often incorporated bright colors, bold shapes, and whimsical patterns. Sottsass was also a writer and philosopher, and his writings on design and culture continue to be highly regarded today. His work has had a lasting impact on the fields of architecture and design, and his legacy continues to inspire designers and architects around the world.