Synopses & Reviews
"Design in Italy has always reflected the national identity of the Italians themselves: sexy, stylish and innovative, and with more than a touch of audacity. Certainly no other country takes design so seriously, nor treats its leading practitioners with such reverence. But then in Italy a design is never just a product, but instead an expression of culture, a creation infused with an underlying polemic that balances science with art. There is also a strongly held belief that good design should be implemented passionately and comprehensively across all aspects of life, or as the architect Ernesto Rogers put it "from the spoon to the city".
Masterpieces of Italian Design is an overview of the past two centuries in Italian design and manufacturing. This new title documents the 110 most pioneering designs to come out of Italy, and explains why, with stunning images (including rare archival photographs, illustrations and patent drawings) and explanatory texts.
The Italian design community has been at the forefront of modern design practice for many decades and has pioneered many styles and movements, from Rationalism to Post-Modernism and Late-Modern. With its strong design- engineering focus, highly skilled craft workshops, specialized and technologically savvy factories, and an intellectualized design press, Italy has provided the optimum creative climate for the development of countless innovative design solutions. This major new book features the ultimate examples of Italian design, from among others, Alessi, B&B Italia, Cappellini, Cassina, Ducati, Ferrari, Fiat, Kartell, Lamborghini, Luceplan, Magis, Moroso, Pagani, Riva and Venini."
Synopsis
Masterpieces of Italian Design is an overview of the past two centuries in Italian design and manufacturing. This new title documents the 110 most pioneering designs to come out of Italy, and explains why, with stunning images (including rare archival photographs, illustrations and patent drawings) and explanatory texts.
About the Author
Charlotte and Peter Fiell are leading authorities on twentieth and twenty-first century design and have written and edited over 30 internationally bestselling books on the subject.
Catharine Rossi is a context lecturer at the University of Edinburgh Design School who specializes in the study of Italian design. Rossi has lectured at the University of Brighton, and is visiting lecturer at Sotheby's Institute of Art. She has worked on exhibitions at MoMA in New York and the V&A Museum in London. Rossi also writes for design publications including Crafts and Domus.
Michele de Lucchi is a world famous product and furniture designer who was part of the Italian Memphis Group collective, famous for their highly acclaimed furniture collections. De Lucchi is known throughout the world for his radical and idiosyncratic designs for, among others, Artemide, Dada Cucine and Kartell.