Eclectic furniture: Gaetano Pesce's vision

Gaetano Pesce: an artist among the most influential designers and architects on the international scene. 

Born in La Spezia in 1939, Pesce studied architecture in Venice, where he developed a unique and innovative approach to design, characterized by the fusion of art, architecture and culture. Since the beginning of his career in the 1960s, Pesce has challenged the conventions of traditional design, promoting an eclectic and radical vision that has resulted in distinctive and provocative works.

With a career spanning over five decades, Gaetano Pesce has worked in numerous fields, from architecture to art, from furniture design to urban planning. His work has always been driven by a deep curiosity and a desire to explore new materials and techniques. Pesce has collaborated with some of the most important brands in the sector, including B&B Italia, with which he created some of the most iconic and revolutionary pieces of furniture in the history of design.

Radical design and the imprint of Gaetano Pesce

The term "radical design" refers to a movement in the 1960s and 1970s that saw designers and architects challenge the conventions of modernism and functionalism, proposing instead a design that was expressive, experimental and often provocative. This movement questioned the idea that design should only be functional, instead promoting a vision in which aesthetics, politics and culture play a central role in the creation of objects.

Gaetano Pesce fits perfectly into this context. His work is characterized by an experimental approach, which seeks to break with traditions and explore new forms of expression. Pesce does not limit himself to designing functional objects, but seeks to tell stories, express ideas and raise questions through his design. His creations are often colorful, fluid and organic, with a strong emotional and symbolic component. Pesce has interpreted design as a communication tool, capable of conveying social and political messages, as well as providing innovative solutions for furniture.

The Up Series: a revolution in design

Among the most famous works by Gaetano Pesce, the Up Series, created in 1969 in collaboration with B&B Italia, occupies a prominent place. This series of seats, composed of seven numbered elements, represented a true revolution in the world of design. The Up Series was conceived as a critique of the role of women in society: the most important element iconic of the series, the Up5 armchair together with the Up6 pouf, is a seat with generous and welcoming shapes that recalls the image of a female body tied to a sphere, symbolizing the condition of female oppression and submission.

The Up Series is not only an example of innovative design, but also a powerful political manifesto. Pesce wanted to denounce the oppression and discrimination suffered by women in contemporary society through these seats. The design of the Up Series, with its soft and welcoming shapes, but also full of meaning, represents a perfect balance between form and content, aesthetics and function. 

The seats of the Up Series are made of polyurethane foam and are distinguished by their ability to expand after being compressed and packed, a further demonstration of the ability Pesce to use innovative materials to express revolutionary ideas.

We can conclude our article by stating that Gaetano Pesce's creations, and in particular those that distinguish the Up Series, represent an example of how design can be not only functional, but also a means to express ideas and promote change within society.

 If you are fascinated by the work of Gaetano Pesce and want to discover how these iconic pieces can transform your living space, we invite you to visit ciatdesign.com. Here you will find an exclusive selection of the best design furniture, including the masterpieces of the Up Series and other creations by the most renowned international designers and brands specializing in high-quality furnishings.