ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Gianni Pettena: radical architect and artist turns 80, monograph and archive acquisition

artist · 2026-04-27

On August 28, 2020, Gianni Pettena, born in Bolzano in 1940, celebrated his 80th birthday. Mousse Publishing launched the monograph "Gianni Pettena 1967-2021," curated by Luca Cerizza. The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) in Montreal obtained his archive, which spans from 1960 to 2019. Pettena pursued his architectural studies in Florence under the guidance of Adalberto Libera and others, aligning himself with the radical architecture movement alongside figures like Andrea Branzi. He has taught at several institutions, co-curated the "Radicals" exhibition at the 1996 Venice Architecture Biennale, and "Utopie radicali" in 2018. His significant works include Canazei Town Hall (1990s) and "Poltrona Ombra" (1986). He also interviewed Buckminster Fuller and showcased his work at the 1973 Milan Triennale.

Key facts

  • Gianni Pettena turned 80 on August 28, 2020.
  • Mousse Publishing released the monograph 'Gianni Pettena 1967-2021' edited by Luca Cerizza.
  • The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) in Montreal acquired Pettena's archive.
  • Pettena was a protagonist of the Italian radical architecture movement.
  • He studied architecture in Florence under Adalberto Libera, Leonardo Benevolo, Ludovico Quaroni, and engineer Morandi.
  • He taught at multiple institutions including the University of Florence, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, University of Utah, Architectural Association in London, California State University, and Domus Academy.
  • He co-curated the 'Radicals' exhibition at the 1996 Venice Architecture Biennale and 'Utopie radicali' at Palazzo Strozzi in 2018.
  • His architectural works include the Canazei Town Hall and a house on Elba.
  • His design 'Poltrona Ombra' (1986) is a commentary on design.
  • He interviewed Buckminster Fuller three times for Domus and Modo.
  • He was friends with Ettore Sottsass, Gordon Matta-Clark, and Robert Smithson.
  • His performance 'Progetto d'Architettura n°5' at the 1973 Milan Triennale was filmed by Luciano Giaccari and restored in 2017.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Mousse Publishing
  • Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA)
  • Minneapolis College of Art and Design
  • University of Utah
  • University of Florence
  • Architectural Association (London)
  • California State University
  • Domus Academy (Milan)
  • Venice Architecture Biennale
  • Palazzo Strozzi
  • Milan Triennale
  • Galleria Giovanni Bonelli (Milan)
  • Galleria Speciale (Bari)
  • Galleria del Levante (Milan)
  • Poltronova
  • Gufram
  • Olivetti
  • Domus (magazine)
  • Modo (magazine)
  • L'Arca (magazine)
  • Artribune
  • Fondazione Primo Conti
  • Casa Malaparte (Capri)
  • MART (Rovereto)
  • Libreria Hellas (Turin)
  • Libreria Casanova
  • Libreria Internazionale Luxemburg
  • Filmstudio (Rome)
  • L'Attico (Rome)
  • Galleria Sperone (Milan)
  • Global Tools
  • Fattoria Montellori (Fucecchio)
  • Brufa (Perugia)
  • Monument Valley
  • Central Park (New York)
  • Biennale di Venezia
  • Domus Academy

Locations

  • Bolzano
  • Italy
  • Fiesole
  • Florence
  • Moena
  • Val di Fassa
  • Trieste
  • Rovereto
  • Milan
  • Rome
  • Venice
  • Turin
  • Pistoia
  • Canazei
  • Elba
  • Enfola
  • Graz
  • Austria
  • Minneapolis
  • United States
  • Salt Lake City
  • New York
  • Los Angeles
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Montreal
  • Canada
  • Engadina
  • Switzerland
  • Fucecchio
  • Brufa
  • Perugia
  • Capri
  • Berlin
  • Germany
  • Japan
  • Monument Valley

Sources

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