Ettore Sottsass, Designer of Emotion

The deeply spiritual and committed work of the pioneering designer Ettore Sottsass is being honoured during its retrospective exhibition next to the Centre Pompidou from 13th October 2021 until 3rd January 2022. Christened The magic object, this educational trail reconstructs the high points in the career of this ingenious  XXth century creator, a leading figure in the Memphis movement. By exploring design, painting, ceramics, sculpting and photography in turn, the trained architect spent his entire life being guided by his limitless curiosity. Rejecting from the outset all rationalism for its own sake – and instead following a more liberal and experimental vision – Sottsass shook the design community with his plethora of creations that made surprising viewing with their fantasy and humour. Ranging from his totemic ceramics from the 1950s to his Memphis creations in the 1980s with his iconic Tahiti lamp or colourful, asymmetric Casablanca furniture. Diverse creations that refocused the emotional link between people and objects and drew their inspiration from the master’s various artistic shocks. From an original journey to the USA to his mystical experience in India. With an avant-garde and contemporary theme, the work of Sottsass never ceases to influence the young generation of creators and appear – outside museums – in the home interiors of our families of aesthetes at The Socialite Family Head over soon!

The magic object, Ettore Sottsass, Centre Pompidou – Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris – from 13th October 2021 until 3rd January 2022. Open 11am – 9pm every day except Tuesday.