Ettore Sottsass Professions : Architect Born : September 14, 1917 Died : December 31, 2007 Browse All Authors Top 11 quotes by Ettore Sottsass When I was young, all we ever heard about was functionalism, functionalism, functionalism. It’s not enough. Design should also be sensual and exciting. Ettore Sottsass design sensual enough I make no special difference between architecture and design, they are two different stages of invention. Ettore Sottsass design differences two My furniture is an exercise in architecture or architectural mood. Ettore Sottsass furniture design exercise It is important to realize that whatever we do or design has iconographic references, it comes from somewhere; any form is always metaphorical, never totally metaphysical; it is never a 'destiny' but always a fact with some kind of historical reference. To put an object on a base means to monumentalize it, to make everyone aware it exists. Ettore Sottsass design destiny mean When I began designing machines I also began to think that these objects, which sit next to each other and around people, can influence not only physical conditions but also emotions. They can touch the nerves, the blood, the muscles, the eyes and the moods of people. Ettore Sottsass eye blood thinking A chair must be really important as an object, because my mother always told me to offer my chair to a lady Ettore Sottsass chairs important mother Decoration can be a state of mind, an unusual perception, a ritual whisper. Ettore Sottsass design perception mind Be patient, calm, compassionate. Know that existence is fleeting. Ettore Sottsass fleeting calm patient I try and be as stupid as possible regarding my profession, which means I try to look at as few design magazines as possible. Ettore Sottsass design stupid mean If you think you're meeting your destiny on the other side of a door you may not be interested in its design. Ettore Sottsass destiny doors thinking ...there is no doubt something will be done sooner or later to enable us to put on a house every day, just as we put on clothes or choose a book to read or a theater to go to, like choosing a day to be lived, within the limits grated by other destinies or chances. Ettore Sottsass clothes destiny book Similar Authors Ben van Berkel architect Bruno Zevi architect Bruno Freschi architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin architect Arthur Erickson architect Arne Jacobsen architect All Authors
