7 creatives on Ettore Sottsass, the genius who designed the ’80s

Matthew Ponsford, CNN
7 minute read
Updated 5:29 AM EDT, Thu August 31, 2017
The Met Breuer's exhibition 'Ettore Sottsass: Design Radical' reevaluates Sottsass's work in dialogue with ancient and contemporaneous objects that inspired him, as well as his influence on designers working today. Sottsass in India (1988), by Barbara Radice.
The Met Breuer's exhibition 'Ettore Sottsass: Design Radical' reevaluates Sottsass's work in dialogue with ancient and contemporaneous objects that inspired him, as well as his influence on designers working today. Sottsass in India (1988), by Barbara Radice.
Courtesy of Barbara Radice
"Cabinet No. 56" (2003), by Ettore Sottsass.
"Cabinet No. 56" (2003), by Ettore Sottsass.
The Gallery Mourmans/Studio Ettore Sottsass Srl
"Effira Vase" (1986), by Ettore Sottsass.
"Effira Vase" (1986), by Ettore Sottsass.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art/ Studio Ettore Sottsass Srl
"Omaggio 3" (2007) by Ettore Sottsass.
"Omaggio 3" (2007) by Ettore Sottsass.
Courtesy of The Gallery Mourmans/Studio Ettore Sottsass
"Architectural Vessel" (A.D. 400-600), Unrecorded Moche Artist, Peru.
"Architectural Vessel" (A.D. 400-600), Unrecorded Moche Artist, Peru.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
"Lapislazzuli" (1968-1972), by Ettore Sottsass.
"Lapislazzuli" (1968-1972), by Ettore Sottsass.
Studio Ettore Sottsass Srl
"Executed Design, May 1988: South Perspective (under construction), Daniel Wolf Residence, Ridgeway, Colorado" (1986), by Ettore Sottsass.
"Executed Design, May 1988: South Perspective (under construction), Daniel Wolf Residence, Ridgeway, Colorado" (1986), by Ettore Sottsass.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Studio Ettore Sottsass Srl
"Colorful Architecture" (1917) by Paul Klee (German, 1879--1940).
"Colorful Architecture" (1917) by Paul Klee (German, 1879--1940).
Courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art
"Menhir Distributore di potere" (1967), Ettore Sottsass.
"Menhir Distributore di potere" (1967), Ettore Sottsass.
Studio Ettore Sottsass Srl
"Mexican Bauhaus Can Opener" (1981), by Peter Shire (American, born 1947).
"Mexican Bauhaus Can Opener" (1981), by Peter Shire (American, born 1947).
Courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art
"Ivory Table" (1985), by Ettore Sottsass.
"Ivory Table" (1985), by Ettore Sottsass.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art/ Studio Ettore Sottsass Srl
"Motto Clasp of Sithathoryunet", Twelfth Dynasty, reign of Senwosret II--Amenemhat III (ca. 1887--1813 B.C.)
"Motto Clasp of Sithathoryunet", Twelfth Dynasty, reign of Senwosret II--Amenemhat III (ca. 1887--1813 B.C.)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art