
Courtesy Joe Kramm, R & Company
The Italian Radical Design movement began in the 1960s in response to the tumultuous political and social climate in that Mediterranean country. Young designers rejected aesthetic norms and, in the process, created unique art and architecture. On the surface, the movement’s playful and symbolic imagery simply referenced pop culture but these works subversively took aim at the establishment. From November 7 to January 4, the Manhattan gallery R & Company is hosting SuperDesign, a survey of the Italian Radical Design movement of the period from 1965 to 1975.
Curator Maria Cristina Didero collaborated closely with R & Company principals Zesty Meyers and Evan Snyderman to gather a trove of materials that are also featured in a new companion book and documentary film. “We started collecting and researching this material over 15 years ago by buying rare books on the subject and traveling across Europe meeting with different key figures from the movement,” Snyderman told Metropolis. “We were intrigued that Italian Radical Design didn’t appear in many American design catalogues or museum collections. Although much had been widely published about the movement, the works themselves had been minimally produced or in many cases were unique.”
There are more than 60 pieces on display, including some of the most recognizable works of the period, from Studio 65’s Bocca, a lip-shaped sofa, or Guido Drocco and Franco Mello’s Cactus coat rack made of green foam. Rare photographs of the Radicals’ cinematic interiors like nightclubs, restaurants, and private residences are also on view.
It’s no surprise that there is a renewed interest in Italian Radical Design today, given the parallels with America’s own great divide in the age of Trump. “There is definitely a strong interest in Italian Radical Design now because the work is a response to politics and it symbolizes standing for something that you believe in,” explains Snyderman. “It is relevant now more than ever with our political climate; there are so many people speaking out and voicing their opinions once again. Italian Radical Design is one of the only design movements that stood for something beyond aesthetics, function, and technology.”
For Snyderman, the exhibit is about more than showcasing good design or presenting collectible artworks—it is about the enduring legacy of Italian Radical Design. “The Italian Radicals have had a long-lasting impact on the history of design and how we perceive it now.”
SuperDesign is on view at R & Company (82 Franklin Street) through January 4.
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Prototype "Leonardo" sofa in multi-colored
polyurethane. Designed by Franco Audrito and Athena Sampaniotou for Studio65, Italy, 1969.
Courtesy Joe Kramm, R & Company
Prototype "Leonardo" sofa in multi-colored
polyurethane. Designed by Franco Audrito and Athena Sampaniotou for Studio65, Italy, 1969.
Courtesy Joe Kramm, R & Company
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"Formaggio" in polyurethane varnished latex. Designed by Lapo Binazzi for UFO, Florence, Italy, 1969. The original example was destroyed and this unique example was produced by the artist in 2000.
Courtesy Joe Kramm, R & Company
"Formaggio" in polyurethane varnished latex. Designed by Lapo Binazzi for UFO, Florence, Italy, 1969. The original example was destroyed and this unique example was produced by the artist in 2000.
Courtesy Joe Kramm, R & Company
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"Fiore Artificiale" wall lamp in yellow molded plastic, neon, lacquered plywood. Designed by Gino Marotta, Italy, 1967.
Courtesy Joe Kramm, R & Company
"Fiore Artificiale" wall lamp in yellow molded plastic, neon, lacquered plywood. Designed by Gino Marotta, Italy, 1967.
Courtesy Joe Kramm, R & Company
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"Fiore Artificiale" wall lamp in yellow molded plastic, neon, lacquered plywood. Designed by Gino Marotta, Italy, 1967.
"Fiore Artificiale" wall lamp in yellow molded plastic, neon, lacquered plywood. Designed by Gino Marotta, Italy, 1967.
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"Dollaro" lamp in marble, wood and gilt metal.
Originally designed by UFO, Florence, Italy, circa
1975. This example produced for Alchimia, 1980s.
Courtesy Joe Kramm, R & Company
"Dollaro" lamp in marble, wood and gilt metal.
Originally designed by UFO, Florence, Italy, circa
1975. This example produced for Alchimia, 1980s.
Courtesy Joe Kramm, R & Company
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Penta-bidet in Studio65’s stand at the Eurodomus 4 Expo in Turin, 1972.
Image courtesy of Franco Audrito, Studio65 Archive
Penta-bidet in Studio65’s stand at the Eurodomus 4 Expo in Turin, 1972.
Image courtesy of Franco Audrito, Studio65 Archive
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Puffo stools by Ceretti, Derossi and Rosso in the theater at the Italian Pavillion for the XIV Triennale, Milan, 1968.
Image courtesy of Pietro Derossi
Puffo stools by Ceretti, Derossi and Rosso in the theater at the Italian Pavillion for the XIV Triennale, Milan, 1968.
Image courtesy of Pietro Derossi
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Original advertising photograph for Pratone lounge chair, Pietro Derossi, Giorgio Ceretti, and Riccardo Rosso, 1966, produced 1971 by Gufram.
Photo by Ugo Mulas, courtesy of Pietro Derossi
Original advertising photograph for Pratone lounge chair, Pietro Derossi, Giorgio Ceretti, and Riccardo Rosso, 1966, produced 1971 by Gufram.
Photo by Ugo Mulas, courtesy of Pietro Derossi
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L’Altro Mondo nightclub, Rimini, interior designed by Pietro Derossi and Giorgio Ceretti, 1967.
Image courtesy of Pietro Derossi
L’Altro Mondo nightclub, Rimini, interior designed by Pietro Derossi and Giorgio Ceretti, 1967.
Image courtesy of Pietro Derossi
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L’Altro Mondo nightclub, Rimini, interior designed by Pietro Derossi and Giorgio Ceretti, 1967.
Image courtesy of Pietro Derossi
L’Altro Mondo nightclub, Rimini, interior designed by Pietro Derossi and Giorgio Ceretti, 1967.
Image courtesy of Pietro Derossi
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Safari sofa shown with San Remo floor lamps, Archizoom Associati, 1967/68, produced by Poltronova.
Photo by Joe Kramm
Safari sofa shown with San Remo floor lamps, Archizoom Associati, 1967/68, produced by Poltronova.
Photo by Joe Kramm
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Archival photograph of Superonda, Archizoom Associati, 1966.
Image by Dario Bartolini, courtesy of Centro Studi Poltronova
Archival photograph of Superonda, Archizoom Associati, 1966.
Image by Dario Bartolini, courtesy of Centro Studi Poltronova
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Globo Tissurato lamp, Ugo La Pietra, 1966-67, produced by Poggi.
Image courtesy of Ugo La Pietra Archive, Milan
Globo Tissurato lamp, Ugo La Pietra, 1966-67, produced by Poggi.
Image courtesy of Ugo La Pietra Archive, Milan
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La Maison Introuvable installation featuring Studio65 furniture and Juncta tiles, 1974.
Image courtesy of Franco Audrito, Studio65 Archive.
La Maison Introuvable installation featuring Studio65 furniture and Juncta tiles, 1974.
Image courtesy of Franco Audrito, Studio65 Archive.
You may also enjoy “Patricia Urquiola’s Diverse Designs Go on View at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.”