Poltronova Backstage. The Radical Era 1962-1972

Poltronova Backstage, curated by Francesca Balena Arista explores the history of the Italian furniture company Poltronova. It is a snapshot of the radical years between 1962and 1972, seen through the work of Archizoom, Ettore Sottsass, and Superstudio. A unique view into a moment in design history seen through the documents and photographs safeguarded at the Centro Studi Poltronova.

Photographs by the designers are accompanied by the recollections of Dario Bartolini, Andrea Branzi, Gilberto Corretti, Paolo Deganello, Adolfo Natalini, Cristina Morozzi, Barbara Radice, and Cristiano Toraldo di Francia. Foreword by Michele De Lucchi.

“These photos almost resemble happenings, which were starting back then, and I’m swept away to that wonderful time of Italian design prehistory when, suddenly, that magical complicity between companies and designers turned into reality. These pages offer accounts by the most important protagonists of that radical age, those who truly built the ideology underpinning the international success of Italian design.” M. De Lucchi