When we speak about design, Italy is always a good choice. The presence of a great number of Italian designers prove that. There is no doubt that Gio Ponti has been among the most influential designers of the 20th century.
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Born in Milan in 1891, Ponti originally trained as an architect and entered industrial design by developing products for an Italian company. At his time, Ponti’s creations look archaic compared to the ascetic “modern” style that during that years was being embraced by his colleagues.
Since the beginning of his career, he showed his love for rich colors, eccentric shapes and fine craftsmanship.
As interior designer, the most representative productions of Gio Ponti are certainly La Cornuta (1948) – the espresso machine for La Pavoni, which became a symbol of “La Dolce Vita” – and Superleggera (1957) Chair, designed for Cassina.
Ponti also created a variety of lamps for companies like Artemide, Venini, and Fontana Arte, showcasing his diverse abilities by achieving distinct design goals for each project.
For what concerns architectural projects, the most famous one is the Pirelli Tower, whose construction began in 1956, when Italy was experiencing an economic boom. Upon its completion in 1958, it became a symbol not only of Milan, but also of the economic recovery after the devastation of the Second World War.
During his life Ponti worked also as a editor, writer and teacher. He was the editor of Domus magazine from 1928 to 1941 and 1948 to 1979, and Stile magazine from 1942 to 1947.
It is undeniable, therefore, that Gio Ponti was not simply a man who worked in design, but a true artist whose talent and passion emanated from his core. It is through this legacy that Ponti continues to inspire new generations of artists and designers of the twenty-first century.
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