Enzo Mari

Enzo Mari

A contemporary design with soft and minimal lines

Enzo Mari is one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, known for his ability to create functional and long-lasting objects made with simple materials. His philosophy is based on the idea that objects should be beautiful, but also useful and sustainable. In this section, we will explore the life of this great Italian designer, analyzing the impact of his work on the history of design.

Enzo Mari life and work

Enzo Mari was born in Novara in 1932. After studying at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, he began working as a freelance designer in the 1950s. Throughout her career, Mari has collaborated with numerous Italian companies, such as Danese, Driade, Zani&Zani and Alessi. Among his most famous projects is the series of toys "16 Animals" created for Danese in 1957. These wooden animals, made with geometric shapes, have become an icon of Italian design and are still popular. Mari has also worked as a lecturer at various Italian and international universities, such as the Domus Academy in Milan and the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Ulm in Germany. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work, including the Compasso d'Oro in 1967 and 1979.

Enzo Mari's approach to design

Mari believed that design should be a participatory process, where the designer works together with the craftsman or industrialist to create quality objects. One of his most famous projects is the series of chairs "Chair 1", "Chair 2" and "Chair 3", made for Driade in the 1970s. These chairs, made of solid wood, have been designed to be easily dismantled and repaired, in order to last over time. Mari was also a staunch supporter of local production and the use of natural and sustainable materials. In her 1974 book Autoprogettazione, Mari provided instructions for building a series of furniture pieces using only raw pine planks and nails.

The impact of Enzo Mari on the history of design

Enzo Mari was one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, thanks to his ability to create functional and durable objects that have stood the test of time. His work has influenced many other Italian and international designers, including Jasper Morrison, Konstantin Grcic and Naoto Fukasawa. Mari's design philosophy has also had a significant impact on Italian design culture. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Mari helped define the concept of "radical design," a movement that sought to challenge the conventions of traditional design and create objects that were truly innovative and revolutionary.

In summary

Enzo Mari was one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, known for his ability to create functional and lasting objects. His design philosophy is based on the idea that objects must be beautiful, but also useful and sustainable over time. His work has influenced many other Italian and international designers, and has been a key factor in defining Italian design culture.