Gaetano Pesce: Designer, Architect, Icon
In the history of Italian design, Gaetano Pesce (1939-2024) is one of those names that will be echoed forever. Extraordinarily talented, politically involved and strikingly innovative: the once-called enfant prodige of architecture and industrial design passed away at the beginning of April, aged 84, in his Manhattan apartment. A colourful and eclectic personality, he was able to span throughout architecture, urban planning, industrial design, interior and exhibitions worldwide, creating several Land artworks during international events such as the Design Week in Milan or through collaborations with major galleries.
Gaetano Pesce in his Brooklyn studio, New York, May 2023. Photo Courtesy: Adrian Gaut.
After studying architecture in Venice and being involved in Gruppo N – a young organisation that took inspiration from the fraternity of the Bauhaus -, he left Italy and pursued a lifelong career which was to take him to France, Hong Kong, Brazil and eventually New York, where he permanently resided since 1980. His works are exhibited in more than 30 museums’ collections worldwide and since his first projects in 1962, he created some of the most iconic design pieces in the history of furniture, as well as artworks and installations showcased in collaboration with galleries and institutions across the globe. One of his last works included a series of resin-dropped chairs realised for Italian fashion brand Bottega Veneta in 2022 as well as an installation in their Montenapoleone store, titled “Vieni a Vedere” (Come and See), less than a year later. A “design maverick”[1], as Vogue called him in one of their articles describing the exhibition, Pesce was already 83 and still in pole position.
Bottega Veneta store in Via Montenapoleone with Pesce's Installation, Vieni a Vedere. April 2023. Photo Courtesy: Matteo Canestraro.
400 Chairs designed by Pesce for Bottega Veneta's S/S 2023 Fashion Show, Milan, September 2022. Photo Courtesy: Matteo Canestraro.
Given his varied background and endless desire to experiment, it comes as no surprise that during his lifetime Pesce also researched and successfully managed to create impactful works of Land Art. One of the most famous is Double Heart (2022), a monumental sculpture realised for the 2023 edition of Paris+ par Art Basel. Exhibited inside the Jardins des Tuileries, the artwork – two hearts pierced by an arrow – was designed more than 40 years ago as a lamp. That is why, during the time the sculpture was present inside the gardens, it would glow at night, representing “love nestled in the heart of the French capital”[2]. A positive statement during times of despair, which symbolised the importance of culture, creativity and art against violence and thirst for power. As stated by Pesce himself during an interview with art journalist Coline Milliard, “The expression of that object is still very valid. It is a symbol of love, and love is something that we cannot do without. Love is part of our lives. It’s also important to consider that art, design, architecture, etc., all have to be expressed in forms that are recognizable for people – namely figurative forms. It allows these objects to go beyond the idea of comfort or function and really engage with reality”[3]. Whilst creating pop objects which could easily talk to a broader audience, Pesce never forgot the importance of his social role as an architect and designer, the power these disciplines have in everyday life and how design can express any content related to humanity, such as love, religion and philosophy. After the dark times of the Covid pandemic, Pesce’s sculpture wanted to remind people the importance of connection and positive feelings towards each other.
Gaetano Pesce's sculpture, Double Heart, Jardins des Tuileries, Paris, October 2023. Photo Courtesy: Dimitar Dilkoff.
Gaetano Pesce's Sculpture, Double Heart, Jardins des Tuileries (night), Paris, October 2023. Photo Courtesy: Dimitar Dilkoff.
Just a few years earlier, during the Milan Design Week in April 2019, Pesce created an installation purposefully placed in Piazza Duomo, the centre of Milan, for an important social cause. “Maestà sofferente” (Suffering Majesty) was a monumental artwork celebrating the 50th anniversary of the designer’s emblematic chair Up 5&6 by B&B Italia. Produced at the end of the 1960s, the chair was as innovative as it could be: it was sold vacuum-packed – and inflated only once the packaging was opened – and it was the first Italian design product to have political significance[4]. The armchair/artwork was pierced by 400 arrows, recalling the abuses women have to face every day, and was surrounded by the heads of six beasts, allegorically representing man’s brutality. Due to the political examination of the female condition and his long-lasting fight against patriarchy, Pesce was both admired and heavily criticised by several feminist organisations who denounced the idea of “women as furniture”. He reached his objective and by placing the sculpture in one of the most trafficked areas of Milan, people simply had to stop, look and think – they could not ignore it. The chair, as well as the sculpture, was paired with a chained spheric footrest, similar to the balls prisoners used to wear in the past. An obvious hint to the women’s condition, imprisoned by male prejudices, victims of violence and still without the same universal rights[5].
Gaetano Pesce's installation, Maestà Sofferente, Milan, April 2019. Photo Courtesy: Gabriele Zanon.
With the death of Gaetano Pesce, we have lost one of the best and most famous representatives of 20th century Italian design worldwide. His overpowering personality and admirable talent have helped the architecture and design worlds understand that, just because they are considered part of an historically non-belligerent environment, they do not have to underestimate their socio-political power and can actually highlight the issues of the contemporary society with visually-striking creations.
As stated by Charley Vezza, CEO of Italian design company Meritalia, “There's often a lot of discussion about the relationship between art and design, and how these two disciplines intertwine. However, there was someone who grasped this aspect over 50 years ago, effortlessly balancing on that subtle boundary line, and that someone was Gaetano. With him, we undoubtedly lose the most radical of radicals, a man who turned inconsistency into his consistency, a genius who will be remembered not only for his fluid forms but also for his edgy personality that made him truly unique”[6].
A free spirit who was able to left an indelible mark behind him: Ciao Gaetano, you will be missed!
Bibliography
Liam Hess, “Gaetano Pesce on His Latest Bottega Veneta Collaboration and Remaining Curious at 83”, Vogue, April 26, 2023.
Coline Milliard, “Polymath Gaetano Pesce makes Paris’s heart beat faster”, Art|Basel, October 10, 2023.
Coline Milliard, “Polymath”.
Elena Sommariva, “Gaetano Pesce in Piazza Duomo: a monumental sculpture provoking an examination of the female condition”, domusweb, April 9, 2019.
Essia Sahli, “Gaetano Pesce scende in Piazza (Duomo) contro il patriarcato”, Elle Decor, April 6, 2019.
Rosa Bertoli, “Design world mourns Gaetano Pesce (1939-2024), the ‘most radical of radicals’”, Wallpaper* Magazine, April 4, 2024.
Beatrice Borriero
En Plein Air Co-Editor, MADE IN BED
