Italian design master Enzo Mari dies at 88
Enzo Mari, a prominent Italian designer of the 20th century, passed away at the age of 88 in Milan's San Raffaele hospital. Stefano Boeri, the president of Triennale Milano, honored him on Facebook. Throughout his career, Mari created renowned pieces such as the Putrella tray, Soft Soft chair, Delfina chair, and Squeezer lemon squeezer. Since the 1950s, he engaged with avant-garde movements and cultivated his unique design philosophy. He studied at Brera Academy from 1952 to 1956, participated in the Kinetic Art group, and designed the 16 animali puzzle. He organized Nuova Tendenza for the 1965 Zagreb Biennale, taught at Società Umanitaria di Milano and Politecnico di Milano, and received five Compasso d'Oro awards. A significant retrospective of his work was displayed at Triennale Milano until April 18, 2021.
Key facts
- Enzo Mari died at 88 in Milan's San Raffaele hospital.
- Stefano Boeri, president of Triennale Milano, paid tribute on Facebook.
- Mari designed iconic objects including Putrella tray, Soft Soft chair, Delfina chair, In attesa wastebasket, Formosa calendar, Tonietta chair, Copernico pots, Piuma cutlery, Squeezer lemon squeezer, Eretteo umbrella stand, and Togo coat rack.
- He won five Compasso d'Oro awards, the last in 2011 for career achievement.
- Mari studied at Brera Academy from 1952 to 1956.
- He was part of the Kinetic Art group and met Bruno Munari.
- He coordinated Nuova Tendenza and organized its exhibition at the 1965 Zagreb Biennale.
- A retrospective curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Francesca Giacomelli is on view at Triennale Milano until April 18, 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Enzo Mari
- Stefano Boeri
- Bruno Munari
- Lea Vergine
- Alessandro Mendini
- Vico Magistretti
- Ettore Sottsass
- Paolo Lomazzi
- Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Francesca Giacomelli
- Dario Franceschini
- Ramak Fazel
Institutions
- Triennale Milano
- Danese
- Driade
- Rexite
- Zanotta
- Zani&Zani
- Alessi
- Magis
- Accademia di Brera
- Società Umanitaria di Milano
- Politecnico di Milano
- Ceramiche Gabbianelli
- MOMA
- Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna
- Moderna Museet
- Stedelijk Museum
- Museum of Modern Art
- Artribune
Locations
- Milano
- Italy
- Cerano
- New York
- Zagabria
- Roma
- Stoccolma
- Amsterdam
- Parigi
- Venezia