Ettore Sottsass and the Poetry of Things

"This book tells the story of Italian designer and architect Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007), not just revealing the anecdotes and inspirations behind many of his most famous pieces but also detailing his encounters with some of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, such as Picasso, Hemingway and Allen Ginsberg. Perhaps best known as the founder of the Memphis Group in the 1980s, famous for its colourful and flamboyant furniture, ceramics and lighting pieces, Ettore Sottsass was one of the most important and prolific Italian designers of the 20th century and is celebrated internationally for his contribution to architecture, industrial and furniture design, ceramics, graphic design, and photography. He initially trained as an architect, before going on to become design consultant for Olivetti, where he designed the Valentine typewriter, one of his most iconic pieces"—Publisher's description.