Ettore Sottsass, Designer, is Dead at 90

In recent years his work drew more attention, in part due to several museum exhibits.

From The New York Times -- Interior Design, 1/2/2008

Ettore Sottsass, an éminence grise of postmodern design who helped found the influential Memphis Group and was responsible for the familiar bright red plastic Olivetti typewriter, died Monday at his home in Milan. He was 90.

His death was confirmed by Francesco Rutelli, the Italian culture and tourism minister.

Although trained and active as an architect, Mr. Sottsass secured a permanent place in pop culture with his designs of everyday items, including office cabinets, table lamps, ice buckets and silverware.

“He was truly a giant of design,” said Paola Antonelli, the senior curator in the Museum of Modern Art’s department of architecture and design. “He had a capacity to really feel the times that he was living in and to change with them.”

Visit The New York Times to read more. May require registration at a later date.

« Back | Print