Carlo Ratti Explores Mutti Tomato Tin in Wallpaper* Summer Series 'Objectify'

In Wallpaper*, architect Carlo Ratti delves into the Mutti tomato tin, emphasizing its design and cultural importance. This tin, produced by Mutti, showcases a vintage aesthetic adorned with gilded lions and a gold medal awarded at the 1911 International Industry and Agriculture Exhibition in Rome. Ratti observes its pop art appeal, implying it could have inspired Andy Warhol. The introduction of tube packaging for tomato concentrate by Ugo Mutti occurred in 1951, followed by the release of Polpa finely chopped tomatoes in 1971. Ratti, who has contributed to Mutti's masterplan and designed the Mutti Canteen in Parma, investigates everyday Italian items in his 'Objectify' series. He cites Thorstein Veblen's concept of conspicuous consumption, asserting that objects mirror our values. Ratti is the head of CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and teaches at both Politecnico di Milano and MIT.