Every now and again, a rare wonderful opportunity

presents itself – and there is really no other

option but to take it and feel well pleased.

Such was my response to attending

an interview with the

world renown and celebrated designer/architect

Gaetano Pesce.

…

Held at the famed Barbican Centre, London

with Tony Chambers, editor-in-chief of Wallpaper magazine

who spoke wtih Signor Pesce about

his designs and his design philosophy.

…

Signor Pesce was born and educated in Italy.

(image from padovacultura.padovanet.it):

He has been a force in the design world for over forty years –

his work is on permanent display at many of the world’s

leading museums:  the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), New York to cite but a couple.

…

I am intrigued by the Gaetano Pesce piece

La Mamma/Donna armchair and footrest, 1969 –

currently on display at the exhibition

Pop Art Design

Barbican Art Gallery, London.

…

(image from barbican.co.uk):

La Mamma/Donna armchair and footrest by Gaetano Pesce

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The large foam chair envelopes the body,

offering a sense of security, a feel of comfort –

with deep curves and deep-set seat,

an invitation to stroke and to nestle:

a chair meant to be reminiscent of

women’s nurturing qualities.

…

Attached by a thin chord to the chair is the footrest:

a ball constructed of the same material and colour

symbolises a state of imprisonment (ball and chain):

a state of unwilling captivity.

…

La Mamma/Donna is a chair which conjures up

imagery of women who at the time (1960s),

seemed doomed to be soley anchored in the home.

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In contemplating the message(s) of this specific chair/footrest,

I often wondered about the general design mission of

Gaetano Pecse.

The evening at the Barbican afforded me the occasion

to discover more about the man and his creations.

…

Gaetano Pesce is a most witty, personable and engaging speaker.

As Tony Chambers relaxed into a Mamma/Donna chair

Signor Pesce settled into another of his designs

-high backed chair,

which looked equally comfortable.

The comfort factor seems priority in a Pesce piece.

…

The Mamma/Donna chair is exemplar of the Pesce

definition of furniture musts:

“fun,  strong,  and with a message.”

The intended statement for the  Mamma/Donna chair:

“women’s non-freedom.”

Many of Signor Pesce’s pieces offer

strong socio-political points.

…

The chair is delivered ‘flat packed’.

As it is made entirely of foam, it is relatively easy to

squeeze it into a compact container.

Upon opening, it springs into shape –

no assembly required.

…

Signor Pesce spoke passionately on art as innovation:

use of new materials,  techniques,  technology –

“there is no limit for creativity” ,

each design is an unique individual, hence

design possibilities are infinite.

…

He is spirited in encouraging creatives to

“fight the idea of standardisation” and to

“express life, express diversity”

…

During his tenure as lecturer at Cooper Union, NY

he challenged his students to first create – concept,

then, as natural  sequence – shape.

Concept is “psychological and sentiments”;

it is the fusing of the intellectual and

the emotional as integral to the design process.

Once this is satisfied, the shape of the piece can evolve –

as definition of the concept.

…

Signor Pesce expressed his views on duality in design.

He believes objects have a “double function”:

“the practical and the beautiful”

I was reminded of the intended use of

Renaissance Italian majolica (glazed ceramic-ware)

beautifully crafted/decorated utilitarian pieces.

…

(image from metmuseum.org):

pharmacy jar (1515) – Siena, Italy

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Examples of Signor Pesce’s idea of design duality:

-beautiful/functional –

are his six water tables.

The tables tops showcase various bodies of water:

lakes, lagoon, ponds, oceans, rivers … puddles

The realism of imagery is almost extra-dimensional:

positioning a viewer in a space perspective

of experiencing a surreal mini-world

while remaining in the world actually occupied.

…

(images from design boom):

river table

…

pond table

…

lagoon table

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puddle table

…

lake table

…

ocean table

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Customisation is another detected point on the Pesce design radar.

In 2010, he created the Fontessa shoe.

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(image from vogue.it):

the Fontessa shoe

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The Fontessa shoe is made of plastic discs, which the user

can cut out and arrange to personalise the footwear.

This design approach allows for a

“relationship with the product” – an intimacy.

…

On the topic of architectural structures, Signor Pesce laments.

He suggests sadly,  that some modern structures

are simply “real estate”;  just “buildings, not architecture” .

Signor Pesce defines architecture in one word:  “innovation”

anything else is simply a building, a copy of what’s been done.

…

While animatedly chatting, reminiscing, informing, laughing –

his phone rings.

Does he ignore it?

Does he answer it?

You guessed it!

He stops mid-sentence, checks the caller id and speaks –

“Pronto, yes, yes … I’ll call you later.  I have a lot of

people in front of me.”

Everyone smiled, many laughed aloud in good humour

and he simply continued where he left off.

…

Gaetano Pesce’s designs are in his image:

amusing, inventive, functional, progressive,

warm, engaging, contemplative:

the man is his art

his art is the man.

…

View the Mamma/Donna  chair and footstool

by Gaetano Pesce

at the exhibition:  Pop Art Design

until 9 February 2014

Barbican Art Gallery, London