- BY ISSIMO
- January 18, 2024
He’s bold, he’s brave. In the global landscape of architecture and design where ideas and innovations emerge faster than we can say Bellissimo, one name endures as a testament to experimentation and a relentless pursuit of the extraordinary – Gaetano Pesce. This trailblazing Italian architect and designer has, and continues to, forge an incredible legacy on the world’s creative sphere, pushing boundaries, challenging conventions, and inspiring us to celebrate the power of pure imagination.
We explore Pesce’s exuberant career as one of the 20th century’s most celebrated design pioneers, celebrating his visionary ethos, his unapologetic approach to colour and form, and his perspectives about the role of design as a mirror to reality.
The road to ‘radical’ brilliance
Spanning over six decades, Gaetano Pesce’s career embodies a fearless approach to design. Born in La Spezia (1939), he initially studied architecture at the University of Venice (1958-1963), and went on to teach at several acclaimed institutions around the world including the Institut d’Architecture et d’Etudes Urbaines in Strasbourg (France), Domus Academy in Milan, and at Cooper Union in New York, the city Pesce has called home since 1980.
It was during the 60s and 70s that Pesce began to move away from traditional architecture and design theory, embracing the avant-garde movement and becoming a prominent figure in the global radical design scene. His rejection of conformity was evident in his early works, where he experimented with unconventional materials like polyurethane resin, and challenged the notion of static design.
Armchair from ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ series
credits@ vntg.com
His vast portfolio of solo design works includes the ‘Yeti Armchair’ (1968), ‘Self Portrait’ vases (1998), ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ collections (2002), ‘Fish Design’ lamps and vases (2004), the ‘New York Sofa’ (2010), the ‘River’ and ‘Pond’ tables (2012) and the ‘Pratt Chairs’ (2020).
The thrill of hyper-innovation
Whether seen in a museum or art gallery, in a shop window, or in the pages of a design magazine, a Gaetano Pesce work is instantly recognisable. First it makes you smile, then it makes you think. Considered one of his most iconic and fundamental creations, his 1969 ‘UP’ series designed for B&B Italia was, and still is, a thrilling example of hyper-innovation and the power of design to express a strong statement about the world around us.
This collection of six striking armchairs sculptured in voluminous, ball-like forms was a radical departure from the sleek, linear designs dominating the furniture landscape at the time.
The collection’s most famous piece, UP5, (often referred to in Italy as La Mamma or Donna) resembles an abstract female body with exaggerated curves, accompanied by a spherical ottoman connected to the chair by a rubber cord. Many consider this piece to express Pesce’s views on the reality of women and their role in modern society at the time he designed it, and it remains one of the most talked-about design objects of the modern era.
Pierre Cardin & Pesce in the original Mamma Chair -1969
credits@ Gaetano Pesce Studio
Armchair from ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ series
credits@ vntg.com
Why are we still intrigued today? Pesce’s UP series – along with all of his creations – represent a rebellion against the rigidity of conventional design theory. They embody his belief that design should reflect the colour and dynamism of life and reality itself.
The Pesce experience: design, architecture and art
While Pesce’s portfolio of work spans decades and countries, there are a few signature elements at the heart of his design approach. These include a playful use of colour, a fearless experimentation of form, and an intense focus on materiality. In fact, he believes in blurring the bounds between design, architecture, art and other creative disciplines, perceiving his work as a celebration of the universal creative spirit that is both optimistic and futuristic.
Pesce’s design for the enveloping felted ‘Feltri’ armchair for luxury Italian furniture manufacturing brand Cassina is one of many examples of his ability to fuse design, art and functionality in one visionary outcome. This is also seen in other products he designed for Cassina such as the strikingly coloured resin ‘Sansone’ tables.
You know how much we adore an exuberant splash of colour in our interiors and home decor here at ISSIMO, so it’s easy to see why Gaetano Pesce is truly a legend in our book. In 2012 he designed the ‘Il Giullare Sofa’ (Giullare meaning ‘jester’ in Italian) for furniture brand Meritalia, a joyfully coloured sofa joined together with sectional zippers and moveable ‘cushions’ attached at the back that look like jester’s hats. Humour, colour, and an ironic view of a society in need of some comic relief…talk about feel-good furniture!
Organic Building, Osaka
Pesce’s vision has also manifested in international architectural feats including the ‘Organic Building’ in Osaka, Japan (1993), and, more recently, he has collaborated with some of the world’s top brands and design showcases including Bottega Veneta and Salone del Mobile. His work appears in the permanent collections of the world’s most prominent galleries and museums including the Metropolitan Museum in New York, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Pompidou Center and Musee des Arts Décoratifs of Louvre in Paris.
A colourful cultural legacy
Pesce’s global legacy is not just an incredible portfolio of intriguing design artefacts and projects, but a cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire and provoke. His influence extends far beyond the realm of design, transforming the way we perceive and interact with the spaces and objects around us.
At 84 years of age, Gaetano Pesce is still a beacon of creativity, reminding us that true innovation lies in the willingness to challenge the norm, and of course, to see the world through wildly coloured glasses. He is a living testament to the boundless possibilities that arise when we trust our imagination…..and have a bit (or a lot) of fun!
You can’t get more iconic than a Fish Design by Pesce, can you?
Discover ISSIMO’s selection of special statement vases by the designer, along with a few other must-have home decor products in a kaleidoscope of feel-good colours.
