SOTTSASS ASSOCIATES
Ettore Sottsass, Barbara Radice, et al.
Ettore Sottsass, Barbara Radice, et al: SOTTSASS ASSOCIATES. New York: Rizzoli, 1988. First edition. Quarto. Thick photographically printed wrappers. 264 pp. Color illustrations and essays throughout. Trace of wear overall. A nearly fine copy.
9 x 11.75 ssoftcover book with 264 pages profusely illustrated in color (naturally): photographs, illustrations, diagrams, sketches, etc. from the Sottsass studio from 1980 to 1988. Includes essays by Ettore Sottsass, Barbara Radice, Doug Tompkins, Luciano Tori, Herbert Muschamp, Jean Pigozzi, Philippe Thome, and Marco Zanini. Translated by Rodney Stringer.
"Sottsass Associates has created a style distinctly its own and difficult to define, but perhaps best described as Italian New Wave avante-garde. Interdisciplinary, working in the areas of architecture and interior design, graphics, and industrial design, the firm is world renowned."
The earliest work of Ettore Sottsass helped secure the preeminent reputation of Italian designers. His designs for such firms as Olivetti and Alessi, and as the founding member of the Memphis design group, paved the way for the numerous designers working today, and he continues to lead the field in new directions. Collected here in this densely packed retrospective volume are Sottsass's projects from 1980 to the present, seen in vivid color photographs of everything from lighting units, sculpture, and keypad telephone directories to housewares, armchairs, and playful prefabricated houses. Numerous architectural designs and models are presented, as well as finished projects.
In 1980 Sottsass Associates was formed with Matteo Thun, Marco Zanini, and Aldo Cibic, for which Sottsass worked on both architectural and design projects. These included work for large industrial companies such as Brionvega (television sets) and Mandelli (machine tools), interior designs for Esprit retail outlets, the Alessi shop in Milan, and architectural commissions such as the Wolf House (1987-9) in the United States.