{"id":11759,"date":"2025-02-22T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-22T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/"},"modified":"2025-02-22T05:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-22T04:00:00","slug":"ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/","title":{"rendered":"Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"93\" data-end=\"376\"> <strong> Ettore Sottsass <\/strong> was one of the most influential designers and architects of the twentieth century. His ability to break the traditional mold of design, his innovative use of color and his ironic and provocative approach have made him a key figure on the international scene. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"378\" data-end=\"778\"> Founder of the <a href=\"https:\/\/it.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Memphis_(design)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <strong data-start=\"392\" data-end=\"410\"> Memphis Group <\/strong> <\/a> and historical collaborator of <strong data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"450\"> Olivetti <\/strong>, Sottsass has redefined the way in which we see and experience design, transforming it into an emotional and cultural experience. His works range from the design of furniture and furnishing objects to the creation of iconic buildings, always characterized by a profound reflection on society and the relationship between man and object. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"780\" data-end=\"954\"> <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4488\" src=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-opere.jpg\" alt=\"Ettore Sottsass opere\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-opere.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-opere-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-opere-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-opere-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-opere-370x247.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <\/p> \n <h2 data-start=\"961\" data-end=\"1049\"> <strong data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"1047\"> Biography of Ettore Sottsass: from Austria to Italy, a talent without borders <\/strong> <\/h2> \n <p data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1297\"> Ettore Sottsass was born on <strong data-start=\"1077\" data-end=\"1098\"> 14 September 1917 <\/strong> in <strong data-start=\"1101\" data-end=\"1123\"> Innsbruck, Austria <\/strong>, into a family from Trentino. His father, Ettore Sottsass Sr., was a rationalist architect who worked mainly in Trentino-Alto Adige and influenced his education. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"1299\" data-end=\"1603\"> After moving to Turin, Sottsass graduated in <strong data-start=\"1355\" data-end=\"1396\"> architecture at the Polytechnic of Turin <\/strong> in <strong data-start=\"1401\" data-end=\"1409\"> 1939 <\/strong> . During <strong data-start=\"1422\" data-end=\"1449\"> World War II <\/strong>, he was drafted and spent time in a prison camp in Montenegro, an experience that profoundly shaped his outlook on life and design. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"1605\" data-end=\"1820\"> In <strong data-start=\"1609\" data-end=\"1617\"> 1947 <\/strong> he moved to <strong data-start=\"1632\" data-end=\"1642\"> Milan <\/strong>, a city that would become the center of his creative activity. Here he opened his first design studio, dedicating himself to the design of furniture, ceramics and architecture. <\/p> \n <h2 data-start=\"1827\" data-end=\"1895\"> <strong data-start=\"1830\" data-end=\"1893\"> Design as an expression of freedom: the style of Sottsass <\/strong> <\/h2> \n <p> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4491\" src=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-oggetti.jpg\" alt=\"Ettore Sottsass oggetti\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-oggetti.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-oggetti-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-oggetti-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-oggetti-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-oggetti-370x247.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"1897\" data-end=\"2084\"> Sottsass was not interested in creating objects only for their practical function. For him, design was an expressive act, a way to communicate emotions and challenge conventions. <\/p> \n <h3 data-start=\"2086\" data-end=\"2118\"> <strong data-start=\"2090\" data-end=\"2116\"> 1. The role of color <\/strong> <\/h3> \n <p data-start=\"2119\" data-end=\"2396\"> Contrary to the minimalist and monochromatic tendencies of modern design, Sottsass used bright and bold colours. His palette included strong colours, bright contrasts and unusual combinations, with the aim of creating environments and objects that <strong data-start=\"2369\" data-end=\"2393\"> stimulated the senses <\/strong>. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"2398\" data-end=\"2460\"> For him, color had a <strong data-start=\"2426\" data-end=\"2446\"> symbolic <\/strong> and emotional value: <\/p> \n <ul data-start=\"2461\" data-end=\"2632\"> \n <li data-start=\"2461\" data-end=\"2510\"> The <strong data-start=\"2466\" data-end=\"2475\"> red <\/strong> to evoke passion and energy. <\/li> \n <li data-start=\"2511\" data-end=\"2563\"> The <strong data-start=\"2516\" data-end=\"2526\"> yellow <\/strong> to communicate joy and creativity. <\/li> \n <li data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2632\"> The <strong data-start=\"2569\" data-end=\"2587\"> blue and green <\/strong> to convey tranquility and depth. <\/li> \n <\/ul> \n <h3 data-start=\"2634\" data-end=\"2666\"> <strong data-start=\"2638\" data-end=\"2664\"> 2. Irony in design <\/strong> <\/h3> \n <p data-start=\"2667\" data-end=\"2906\"> Many of his objects seemed like visual games: exaggerated shapes, out-of-scale proportions and unexpected materials were typical elements of his style. He didn&#8217;t want the design to be serious and boring, but to <strong data-start=\"2874\" data-end=\"2903\"> entertain and surprise <\/strong> . <\/p> \n <h3 data-start=\"2908\" data-end=\"2952\"> <strong data-start=\"2912\" data-end=\"2950\"> 3. The anti-functionalist philosophy <\/strong> <\/h3> \n <p data-start=\"2953\" data-end=\"3181\"> In the 1950s and 1960s, <strong data-start=\"2978\" data-end=\"2995\"> functionalism <\/strong> dominated design, with the motto \u0093form follows function\u0094. Sottsass <strong data-start=\"3068\" data-end=\"3096\"> rejected this vision <\/strong> and believed that design should <strong data-start=\"3129\" data-end=\"3152\"> follow emotions <\/strong> rather than mere practicality. <\/p> \n <h2 data-start=\"3188\" data-end=\"3263\"><strong data-start=\"3191\" data-end=\"3261\"> The collaboration with Olivetti: the man behind the iconic machines <\/strong> <\/h2> \n <p data-start=\"3265\" data-end=\"3457\"> One of the most important chapters of Sottsass&#8217;s career was his work with <strong data-start=\"3350\" data-end=\"3362\"> Olivetti <\/strong>, a cutting-edge Italian company in the IT and typewriter sector. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"3459\" data-end=\"3613\"> In <strong data-start=\"3463\" data-end=\"3471\"> 1958 <\/strong>, Sottsass became a design consultant for the company and began designing products that would change the face of industrial design. <\/p> \n <h3 data-start=\"3615\" data-end=\"3673\"> <strong data-start=\"3619\" data-end=\"3642\"> 1. Elea 9003 (1959) <\/strong> \u0096 The first Italian computer <\/h3> \n <p> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4492\" src=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Elea-9003-primo-computer.jpg\" alt=\"Ettore Sottsass Elea 9003 primo computer\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Elea-9003-primo-computer.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Elea-9003-primo-computer-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Elea-9003-primo-computer-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Elea-9003-primo-computer-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Elea-9003-primo-computer-370x247.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"3674\" data-end=\"3889\"> The Elea 9003 was the first mainframe computer produced in Italy. Sottsass designed it as an innovative object, with an elegant and intuitive design, <strong data-start=\"3822\" data-end=\"3886\"> overcoming the austerity of the computing machines of the time <\/strong>. <\/p> \n <h3 data-start=\"3891\" data-end=\"3950\"> <strong data-start=\"3895\" data-end=\"3918\"> 2. Valentine (1969) <\/strong> \u0096 The pop typewriter <\/h3> \n <p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4493\" src=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/valentine-macchina-da-scrivere-pop.jpg\" alt=\"valentine macchina da scrivere pop\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/valentine-macchina-da-scrivere-pop.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/valentine-macchina-da-scrivere-pop-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/valentine-macchina-da-scrivere-pop-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/valentine-macchina-da-scrivere-pop-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/valentine-macchina-da-scrivere-pop-370x247.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"3951\" data-end=\"4287\"> Perhaps his most famous design, the <strong data-start=\"3988\" data-end=\"4001\"> Valentine <\/strong> was a red, lightweight, portable <\/strong> typewriter, aimed at a young, creative audience. Unlike traditional typewriters, heavy and bulky, the Valentine had an attractive and unconventional design, turning it into a style icon. <\/p> \n <h2 data-start=\"4294\" data-end=\"4359\"> <strong data-start=\"4297\" data-end=\"4357\"> The Memphis Group: the postmodern design revolution <\/strong> <\/h2> \n <p data-start=\"4361\" data-end=\"4529\"> In <strong data-start=\"4365\" data-end=\"4373\"> 1981 <\/strong> , Sottsass founded the <strong data-start=\"4393\" data-end=\"4411\"> Memphis Group <\/strong> , a collective of designers who revolutionized 1980s design with eccentric and unconventional creations. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"4531\" data-end=\"4681\"> Memphis broke with the rules of modernism, proposing furniture and objects with <strong data-start=\"4607\" data-end=\"4678\"> extravagant geometric shapes, bright colors and innovative materials <\/strong> . <\/p> \n <h3 data-start=\"4683\" data-end=\"4718\"> <strong data-start=\"4687\" data-end=\"4716\"> Iconic Memphis Works <\/strong> <\/h3> \n <ul data-start=\"4719\" data-end=\"5131\"> \n <li data-start=\"4719\" data-end=\"4876\"> <strong data-start=\"4721\" data-end=\"4748\"> Carlton Bookcase (1981) <\/strong> \u0096 One of the most famous pieces of furniture of the Memphis movement, an asymmetrical and multicolored\u00a0 <strong data-start=\"4813\" data-end=\"4842\"> bookcase <\/strong> , which almost looks like a sculpture. More than just a bookcase, it is a <strong style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\" data-start=\"249\" data-end=\"275\"> sculptural composition <\/strong> <span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\"> , characterized by <\/span> <strong style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\" data-start=\"298\" data-end=\"321\"> dynamic asymmetry <\/strong> <span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\"> , bright colors and a bold use of geometric shapes. The structure, made of <\/span> <strong style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\" data-start=\"406\" data-end=\"427\"> plastic laminate <\/strong> <span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\">, alternates inclined and perpendicular elements that challenge the traditional conception of furniture, transforming it into a functional work of art.  <\/span> With its <strong style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\" data-start=\"584\" data-end=\"617\"> iconic and provocative design <\/strong> <span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\"> , Carlton perfectly represents the spirit of the <\/span> <strong style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\" data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"689\"> Memphis Group <\/strong> <span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial;\">: a playful aesthetic, a rejection of the rules of modernism and a celebration of expressive freedom in design. <\/span> <\/li> \n <\/ul> \n <p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4494\" src=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ettore-sottsass-Libreria-Carlton.jpg\" alt=\"ettore sottsass Libreria Carlton\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ettore-sottsass-Libreria-Carlton.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ettore-sottsass-Libreria-Carlton-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ettore-sottsass-Libreria-Carlton-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ettore-sottsass-Libreria-Carlton-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ettore-sottsass-Libreria-Carlton-370x247.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <\/p> \n <ul data-start=\"4719\" data-end=\"5131\"> \n <li data-start=\"4877\" data-end=\"4992\"> \n <p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"126\"> <strong data-start=\"4\" data-end=\"28\"> Tartar Table (1985) <\/strong> \u0096 An icon of postmodern design, designed by <strong data-start=\"78\" data-end=\"97\"> Ettore Sottsass <\/strong> for the <strong data-start=\"105\" data-end=\"123\"> Memphis Group <\/strong> . The <strong data-start=\"131\" data-end=\"148\"> Tartar Table <\/strong> stands out for its bold geometric structure and the use of innovative materials and contrasting colors. Its massive cylindrical legs and surface decorated with abstract patterns evoke a playful and sculptural aesthetic, typical of the <strong data-start=\"400\" data-end=\"411\"> Memphis <\/strong> style. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"416\" data-end=\"609\" data-is-last-node=\"\"> This work perfectly embodies Sottsass&#8217; philosophy: ua design that is not only functional, but which becomes a visual and emotional experience, challenging traditional furniture conventions. <\/p> \n <\/li> \n <\/ul> \n <p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4496\" src=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tavolo-tartar.jpg\" alt=\"tavolo tartar\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tavolo-tartar.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tavolo-tartar-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tavolo-tartar-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tavolo-tartar-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tavolo-tartar-370x247.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <\/p> \n <ul> \n <li data-start=\"5133\" data-end=\"5289\"> \n <p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"61\"> <strong data-start=\"4\" data-end=\"59\"> Tahiti Lamp (1981) \u0096 The <\/strong> to <strong data-start=\"127\" data-end=\"145\"> Tahiti Lamp <\/strong> is one of the most representative objects of the postmodern movement. It is a <strong data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"274\"> sculptural and playful table lamp <\/strong>, composed of geometric shapes assembled in an apparently random way, but with a precise chromatic logic. The structure resembles a <strong data-start=\"410\" data-end=\"440\"> stylized exotic bird <\/strong>, with a long inclined neck that supports the light source, while the bright colors and patterned decorations enhance its irreverent and experimental character. Made of <strong data-start=\"624\" data-end=\"674\"> lacquered sheet metal and laminated plastic <\/strong> , the <strong data-start=\"679\" data-end=\"689\"> Tahiti <\/strong> is not just a functional object, but a true <strong data-start=\"745\" data-end=\"778\"> manifesto of Sottsass&#8217;s <\/strong> radical design, which challenged aesthetic conventions and transformed every piece of furniture into a statement of style. <\/p> \n <\/li> \n <\/ul> \n <p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4497\" src=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Lampada-Tahiti.jpg\" alt=\"Lampada Tahiti\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Lampada-Tahiti.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Lampada-Tahiti-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Lampada-Tahiti-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Lampada-Tahiti-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Lampada-Tahiti-370x247.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"5133\" data-end=\"5289\"> Memphis&#8217; success was enormous, and the group collaborated with designers and luxury brands such as <strong data-start=\"5225\" data-end=\"5243\"> Karl Lagerfeld <\/strong> , who furnished his home with Memphis furniture. <\/p> \n <h2 data-start=\"5296\" data-end=\"5349\"> <strong data-start=\"5299\" data-end=\"5347\"> The last phase: global architecture and design <\/strong> <\/h2> \n <p data-start=\"5351\" data-end=\"5562\"> From the 1990s onwards, Sottsass dedicated himself mainly to <strong data-start=\"5412\" data-end=\"5428\"> architecture <\/strong> and international projects. He worked in <strong data-start=\"5468\" data-end=\"5501\"> Japan, India and the United States <\/strong>, creating residential buildings, showrooms and art galleries. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"5564\" data-end=\"5722\"> In the last years of his life, his studio collaborated with luxury brands such as <strong data-start=\"5647\" data-end=\"5657\"> Alessi <\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"5660\" data-end=\"5670\"> Venini <\/strong> , continuing to explore new forms and materials. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"5724\" data-end=\"5811\"> He died on <strong data-start=\"5732\" data-end=\"5752\"> 31 December 2007 <\/strong>, leaving an invaluable legacy in the world of design. <\/p> \n <h2 data-start=\"5818\" data-end=\"5897\"> <strong data-start=\"5821\" data-end=\"5895\"> The legacy of Ettore Sottsass: why is his design still so influential today? <\/strong> <\/h2> \n <p data-start=\"5899\" data-end=\"6015\"> Sottsass radically changed the way of conceiving design. Today his approach is <strong data-start=\"5989\" data-end=\"6012\"> more relevant than ever <\/strong> : <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"6017\" data-end=\"6410\"> ? <strong data-start=\"6019\" data-end=\"6071\"> He introduced the concept of \u0093emotional design\u0094 <\/strong>, questioning the dogma of pure functionality. <br data-start=\"6130\" data-end=\"6133\" \/> ? <strong data-start=\"6135\" data-end=\"6238\"> He anticipated the importance of personalization and identity in everyday objects. <\/strong> <br data-start=\"6238\" data-end=\"6241\" \/> ? <strong data-start=\"6243\" data-end=\"6282\"> It has inspired generations of designers <\/strong>, from the big names in fashion (such as Karl Lagerfeld) to young creatives who see design as a means of expressing themselves. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"6412\" data-end=\"6686\"> His works continue to be exhibited in the <strong data-start=\"6457\" data-end=\"6492\"> most prestigious museums in the world <\/strong>, from the MoMA in New York to the Triennale in Milan. His innovative spirit and his vision of design as <strong data-start=\"6600\" data-end=\"6651\"> an instrument of freedom and artistic expression <\/strong> make him a timeless icon. <\/p> \n <h2 data-start=\"6693\" data-end=\"6768\"> <strong data-start=\"6696\" data-end=\"6766\"> Ettore Sottsass, the designer who changed the world <\/strong> <\/h2> \n <p> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-4495\" src=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/poltrona-tappeto-volante.jpg\" alt=\"poltrona tappeto volante\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/poltrona-tappeto-volante.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/poltrona-tappeto-volante-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/poltrona-tappeto-volante-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/poltrona-tappeto-volante-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/poltrona-tappeto-volante-370x247.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/> <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"6770\" data-end=\"6953\"> Ettore Sottsass was not just a designer: he was a <strong data-start=\"6827\" data-end=\"6850\"> philosopher of design <\/strong> , a visionary who transformed objects into <strong data-start=\"6900\" data-end=\"6950\"> visual, ironic and profoundly human stories <\/strong> . <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"6955\" data-end=\"7080\"> His work continues to inspire and influence how we interact with glthe objects and spaces that surround us. <\/p> \n <p data-start=\"7082\" data-end=\"7187\" data-is-last-node=\"\"> His legacy is alive, and his message is clear: <strong data-start=\"7134\" data-end=\"7186\"> design must not only serve, it must excite <\/strong> . <\/p> \n\n  \n <p> <\/p> \n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ettore Sottsass was one of the most influential designers and architects of the twentieth century. His ability to break the traditional mold of design, his innovative use of color and his ironic and provocative approach have made him a key figure on the international scene. Founder of the Memphis Group and historical collaborator of Olivetti &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":12388,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[341],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11759","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-design","has-thumb","has-featured"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation - Archi &amp; Interiors<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation - Archi &amp; Interiors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ettore Sottsass was one of the most influential designers and architects of the twentieth century. His ability to break the traditional mold of design, his innovative use of color and his ironic and provocative approach have made him a key figure on the international scene. Founder of the Memphis Group and historical collaborator of Olivetti &hellip;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Archi &amp; Interiors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-22T04:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Colori-ironia-e-provocazione.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sonia Carrera\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sonia Carrera\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Sonia Carrera\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/a92792ac07e03e40570b4cf29aed1586\"},\"headline\":\"Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-22T04:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/\"},\"wordCount\":1202,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Colori-ironia-e-provocazione.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Design\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/\",\"name\":\"Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation - Archi &amp; Interiors\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Colori-ironia-e-provocazione.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-22T04:00:00+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Colori-ironia-e-provocazione.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Colori-ironia-e-provocazione.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":800,\"caption\":\"Ettore Sottsass Colori, ironia e provocazione\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/home\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/\",\"name\":\"Archi & Interiors\",\"description\":\"Archi &amp; Interiors Magazine\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Archi & Interiors\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cropped-customcolor_logo_customcolor_background.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cropped-customcolor_logo_customcolor_background.png\",\"width\":937,\"height\":550,\"caption\":\"Archi & Interiors\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/a92792ac07e03e40570b4cf29aed1586\",\"name\":\"Sonia Carrera\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f68db9f159d71f92d2228a4caf0868310f75d6a2dba1645036b6fa17086e0039?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f68db9f159d71f92d2228a4caf0868310f75d6a2dba1645036b6fa17086e0039?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Sonia Carrera\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/author\/sonia-carrera\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation - Archi &amp; Interiors","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation - Archi &amp; Interiors","og_description":"Ettore Sottsass was one of the most influential designers and architects of the twentieth century. His ability to break the traditional mold of design, his innovative use of color and his ironic and provocative approach have made him a key figure on the international scene. Founder of the Memphis Group and historical collaborator of Olivetti &hellip;","og_url":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/","og_site_name":"Archi &amp; Interiors","article_published_time":"2025-02-22T04:00:00+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":800,"url":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Colori-ironia-e-provocazione.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Sonia Carrera","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Sonia Carrera","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/"},"author":{"name":"Sonia Carrera","@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/a92792ac07e03e40570b4cf29aed1586"},"headline":"Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation","datePublished":"2025-02-22T04:00:00+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/"},"wordCount":1202,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Colori-ironia-e-provocazione.jpg","articleSection":["Design"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/","url":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/","name":"Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation - Archi &amp; Interiors","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Colori-ironia-e-provocazione.jpg","datePublished":"2025-02-22T04:00:00+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Colori-ironia-e-provocazione.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Ettore-Sottsass-Colori-ironia-e-provocazione.jpg","width":1200,"height":800,"caption":"Ettore Sottsass Colori, ironia e provocazione"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/ettore-sottsass-who-he-is-was-the-master-of-emotional-design-between-colours-irony-and-provocation\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/home\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Ettore Sottsass: who he is was the master of emotional design, between colours, irony and provocation"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/","name":"Archi & Interiors","description":"Archi &amp; Interiors Magazine","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#organization","name":"Archi & Interiors","url":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cropped-customcolor_logo_customcolor_background.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/cropped-customcolor_logo_customcolor_background.png","width":937,"height":550,"caption":"Archi & Interiors"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/a92792ac07e03e40570b4cf29aed1586","name":"Sonia Carrera","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f68db9f159d71f92d2228a4caf0868310f75d6a2dba1645036b6fa17086e0039?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f68db9f159d71f92d2228a4caf0868310f75d6a2dba1645036b6fa17086e0039?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Sonia Carrera"},"url":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/author\/sonia-carrera\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11759","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11759"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11759\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11759"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11759"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.archieinteriors.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11759"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}