Enzo Mari
Born in Cerano (NO) in 1932, he died only a few days ago in Milan on October 19, 2020; Enzo Mari was an Italian artist and designer universally acclaimed as one of the people who most contributed to the birth and development of the idea of style and quality typical of "Made in Italy" products. His works and publications have dealt with various artistic fields, ranging from industrial design, architecture, graphics, and publishing, to the publication of books and exhibition set-ups.
Enzo Mari attended the Brera Academy of Fine Arts from 1952 to 1956 where he studied art and literature focusing on themes linked to the psychology of visual perception. Immediately after finishing his studies he tried his hand at industrial design by presenting his first project to Danese, the Milanese furnishings manufacturer. The various collaborations that followed over the years allowed him to produce objects that will forever remain etched in the company’s history.
Over the years there were numerous collaborations with some of the most established companies in the sector; undoubtedly one of the most prolific and successful was with Zanotta which began in 1981 and led Enzo Mari five years later to win his third Compasso d'Oro for the Tonietta chair project made for the Brianza-area company. Companies such as Zanotta, Driade, Kartell, Alessi, Artemide, Flou, Olivetti, Lema, Danese and many others relied on Enzo Mari's visionary approach in order to create objects.
During his long and prolific life, Enzo Mari managed to win no less than 5 Compasso d'Oro awards, one of which, the last, for his career in 2011. Considered one of the leading theorists of international design, all the products he created were oriented toward the social aspect of design, products whose function was necessarily linked to people's daily lives. According to Mari, the designer cannot and must not limit himself to designing aesthetically beautiful objects but also has the responsibility of considering its functional aspect by carefully choosing materials and production processes suitable for that specific object.
His works and objects are on display in some of the world’s most important art museums including the MoMa in New York, the International Gallery of Modern Art in Rome and the Milan Triennial. In addition to his superb works, what will remain are his brilliant ideas and utopian thoughts aimed at improving a world now enslaved to fashion and mass production.
