Ettore Sottsass and the Poetry of Things, published by Phaidon, is a highly-readable and compelling biography of one of the last century’s most important designers, who was well acquainted with legends like Hemingway and Picasso.
While the book does not contain photos or graphics, it does feature many anecdotes of his encounters with the biggest creatives of the time, and details of his influences and inspirations, documenting the contemporary design scene both in Italy and abroad.
It also chronicles the life and times of one of the most important, prolific, and, above all, interesting designers and architects of the 20th century.
Sottsass (1917-2007), originally trained as an architect and worked as a design consultant for Olivetti, where he developed the iconic Valentine typewriter, before going on to found the Memphis Group in the 1980s, ushering in an era of influential designs in furniture.
We purchased this edition recently at William Stout Architectural Books in San Francisco’s North Beach.
Read our Bay Crossings interview with Mr. Stout conducted two years ago.