Milan Design Week 2019 celebrates the work and legacy of one of the biggest Italian designers Gaetano Pesce. The tribute is installed right in from of the Duomo: the UP5 & 6 armchairs created for B&B Italia, but with a twist that conveys a strong message. This original furniture piece by Italian designer Gaetano Pesce became a statement regarding the treatment of women in a patriarchal society, as well as the inequality of the sexes. The exhibition is showcased at Piazza Duomo during the entirety of the design event. Insplosion brings you the backstory behind the thoughtful tribute. Enjoy!
This original furniture piece by Italian designer Gaetano Pesce became a statement regarding the treatment of women in a patriarchal society, as well as the inequality of the sexes. The Up Armchair was considered the first industrial design project that had a political statement heavily implied to it, seeing as it also came to be during a time where women were starting to stand up for themselves and fighting for equal rights. 50 years later that same statement remains timeless when it comes to women’s issues.
The form of this chair is meant to represent the imprisonment of a woman to male prejudices, by having it heavily represent a female body “chained” to a spheric leg rest. This chair was first created over 50 years ago, and now it will be one of the main highlights of Milan Design Week 2019, more specifically Fuorisalone.
As a tribute to Pesce’s work and legacy, a special version of the Maestà Sofferente was crafted with a height of 8 meters high for the occasion of Fuorisalone. This also features the chair’s original form, embellished with needles in order to tackle another relevant topic that’s one of the most prevalent problems for women: the violence against them. These two pieces are currently set at the Duomo alongside a series of animal heads made from polystyrene and painted fiberglass and mounted on iron easels.
Even though Milan Design Week 2019 only started yesterday, this set has already been available to the public eye since the 7th of April, and it will remain there until the 14th, corresponding to the entire duration of Fuorisalone. If you pass by the famous Milanese cathedral, you can take a closer look at this timeless tribute to Gaetano Pesce’s work.
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