Enzo Mari Design Retrospective March 12, 2009

Leading Italian industrial designer Enzo Mari is the subject of a retrospective exhibition of some of the furniture, lighting, utensils, games and graphics that have established him as a significant voice over half a century of thoughtful design and manufacturing. Presented by the Italian Cultural Institute in San Francisco from March 12-April 30, the Enzo Mari exhibition is a small and impressive collection of designs that span Mr. Mari's career. The Institute Gallery is located at 425 Washington Street, Suite 200, San Francisco 94111. Enzo Mari will be present at the exhibition opening at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at a reception that is open to the public with reservation by calling 415-788-7142.

The exhibition comprises products from 13 different Italian and Japanese manufacturers (Alessi, Artemide, Corraini Arte Contemporanea ed edizioni, Danese, Driade, Hida Sangyo Co., Kartell, Magis, Muji, Poltrona Frau, Robots, Zani e Zani, Zanotta), that range from seating and shelving, to kitchen utensils, office accessories, children's games and graphics. In addition, the Italian Cultural Institute has arranged in collaboration with Mr. Mari to expand the original exhibition to include a selection of development sketches for products exhibited and a short video featuring a wide range of work including unbuilt architectural projects not previously exhibited in North America.

As quoted from the preface of the Enzo Mari exhibition catalogue, Hitoshi Abe, chair, UCLA Department of Architecture and Urban Design. "This exhibition represents the finest examples of Mari's designs as a result of his many years of engaging in research and design...His work has been positioned at the center of the international dialogue on design since the 1950's as a result of his understanding of how art and design impact our daily lives."

Free.

Official Website: http://www.iicsanfrancisco.esteri.it