Poltronova's Radical Design Celebrated at Contemporary Cluster in Rome

Contemporary Cluster in Rome presents a double exhibition celebrating Poltronova's radical design legacy, running until October 23. The main show marks the 50th anniversary of two cult objects: Ettore Sottsass jr.'s Ultrafragola mirror and DDL Studio's Joe armchair. World premieres include a new edition of the Joe armchair, De Pas, D'Urbino & Lomazzi's Cessato allarme coat rack, and Franco Raggi's Canton bench. Poltronova was founded in 1957 in Agliana (Pistoia) by Sergio Cammilli, who partnered with Ettore Sottsass as creative director. The company became a hub for experimental design, collaborating with Gae Aulenti, Paolo Portoghesi, Giovanni Michelucci, Angelo Mangiarotti, Archizoom, Superstudio, and De Pas-D'Urbino-Lomazzi. Andrea Branzi notes that Cammilli's method combined anarchic works with postmodern experiments, anticipating post-industrial markets. Iconic pieces include the Superonda sofa (1967), Mies armchair (1969), Passiflora and Gherpe lamps, Sanremo sofa, and Saratoga series by Elena and Massimo Vignelli. Since 2005, the Centro Studi Poltronova preserves the brand's archive and reissues. The second exhibition, 'La Casa non domestica' curated by Gabriele Mastrigli, connects to the main show via Archizoom's Mies armchair and the 1971 issue of IN magazine on 'destruction of the object.' It features works by Archizoom, Sottsass, Superstudio, and Ugo La Pietra, exploring domestic practices during the crisis of Western society.