Massimo Iosa Ghini (born 18 June 1959) is an Italian architect, designer, and professor known for his contributions to the Bolidist Movement and his work with Memphis Group architects such as Ettore Sottsass and Michael Graves. Iosa Ghini is recognized for his streamlined and organic designs that blend disciplines, forms, and dimensions, transcending the boundaries between art, design, and architecture.[1] His career spans decades and includes projects in Italy, the the United States,, and Russia. He owns a substantial collection of furniture, reflecting his futuristic design style. In 1990, he founded the architecture and design firm Iosa Ghini Associati in Milan.
Massimo Iosa Ghini | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 18 June 1959 |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Alma mater | Milan Polytechnic |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice | Iosa Ghini Associati |
| Buildings | Ferrari Factory Store, Serravalle Scrivia IBM, Rome People Mover, Bologna |
| Website | iosaghini |
Schooling
editMassimo Iosa Ghini was born in Bologna, Italy, on June 18, 1959. Initially interested in illustration, he developed a passion for architecture and studied it at Milan Polytechnic.. After graduating, he immersed himself in the dynamic atmosphere of the 1980s, which influenced much of his later work. He also explored artistic endeavors, including furniture and set design for the Italian RAI TV network.[2]
In 1981, his unconventional designs caught the attention of the Memphis Group, a Milan-based collective of architects and designers whose furniture featured colors, shapes, and patterns that defied the design status quo.[3] This association provided valuable learning experiences and opportunities, leading to iconic pieces such as the "Bertrand" Sideboard and the "Otello" armchair, one of which was sold at auction from the collection of the late David Bowie's in 2016.[4]
Iosa Ghini has held teaching positions at Sapienza University in Rome, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Ferrara University.[5]
Bolidism
editMassimo Iosa Ghini is recognized as a pioneer of Bolidism, an artistic style emphasizing the aesthetics of visual media over the traditional function of furniture. The objective of Bolidism is to depict the transition from materiality to a more visual representation of objects, drawing inspiration from contemporary styles and the older style of futurism, especially its fascination with the interplay between machines and human beings.[6]
Architecture
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In 1990, Iosa Ghini co-founded Iosa Ghini Associati with his wife, Milena Mussi. Since then, his firm has collaborated with international groups on large-scale residential, commercial, and public space projects. Iosa Ghini is known for his contemporary take on futurism, as seen in his 2015 design for the Ferrari Factory Store in Milan.[7]
In 2012, the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale featured Iosa Ghini's work on the "Seat Pagine Gialle" offices in Turin in their exhibition, "Architecture del Made in Italy."
Product design
editThis article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. (June 2023) |
Several of Iosa Ghini's works were featured in the Memphis Project. His design style is noted for its playful and decorative approach, reflecting the exhibition's rejection of rationalism. This motif appears throughout his work, from tableware and furniture to public transportation. Iosa Ghini has collaborated with Italian household brands such as Alessi and Duravit.
His furniture concepts have been acquired by museum collections. Iosa Ghini has received several design awards, including the Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum, the Roscoe Award, the IAI Green Design Award in China, the iF Product Design Award, and the Red Dot Award.[citation needed]
Work
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The Iosa Ghini website features the following projects:
- Brickell Flatiron, Miami (USA) - Currently under construction[8]
- Marconi Express, People Mover, Bologna (Italy)
- OKO Residential Building, Moscow (Russia) - Completed in 2016
- "Linea di Luce" (Italy) - Completed in 2014
- IBM Italia, IBM Software Executive Briefing Center, Rome (Italy) - Completed in 2010
- Garage San Marco, Venice (Italy) - Completed in 2009
- Ferrari Factory Store, Serravalle Scrivia (Italy) - Completed in 2009
- Ferrari, Galleria Museo Ferrari, Maranello (Italy) - Completed in 2004
- Boscolo Group, New York Residence, Budapest (Hungary) - Completed in 2004
- Kiko Make Up Milano, Stores - Ongoing since 2006
- Superga, Stores - Established in 1997
Bibliography
edit- Massimo Iosa Ghini, Sillavengo, Edition Rossi Schreiber, 1991
- Massimo Iosa Ghini Disegni, Kalòs, 1992
- Massimo Iosa Ghini, N.N. Edizioni, Düsseldorf, 1993
- La Stazione della metropolitana Kroepke a Hannover, Electa, Milan, 2000
- 15 anni di progetti, Electa, Milan, 2001
- Car Corporate Image, Electa, Milan, 2002
- Design del Negozio - lo Spazio Esperienziale, 2002
- Esercizi di architettura - Involucri – Exercises in architecture, Electa, Milan, 2003
- Massimo Iosa Ghini da designer ad architetto, Editrice Compositori, Bologna, 2005
- Massimo Iosa Ghini, Disegni di architetture, Antonia Jannone Galleria, 2007
- Sostenibile Ma Bello. Progetti di Iosa Ghini Associati Editrice Compositori, Bologna, 2009
- Design del XX secolo, Charlotte & Peter Fiell, Taschen, 2011
- Agora / Form and Technology / IBM Software Executive Briefing Center – Rome, Electa, Milan, 2012
- I protagonisti del design – Massimo Iosa Ghini, Vol. 33, Hachette Fascicoli, Milan, 2012
- Massimo Iosa Ghini, Skira Editore, Milan, 2013
References
edit- ^ "Memphis to Miami, Archdaily". 2016-11-30. Retrieved 2017-06-10.
- ^ Fiell, Charlotte; Fiell, Peter (2005). Design of the 20th Century (25th anniversary ed.). Köln: Taschen. p. 349. ISBN 9783822840788. OCLC 809539744.
- ^ Barnes, Sara (2023-08-20). "How the Memphis Movement Went Against "Good Taste" To Inspire Designers Today". My Modern Met. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ^ Jacobs, Sara (2016-11-14). "David Bowie's out-of-this-world art collection just sold for over $41 million — see 21 of his best furniture pieces". Business Insider. Retrieved 2017-10-03.
- ^ "Natuzzi - Massimo Iosa Ghini". www.natuzzi.com. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ^ "About – Iosa Ghini Associates". Retrieved 2025-01-12.
- ^ "Ferrari store by massimo iosa ghini opens in milan during design week, designboom". 2015-06-29. Retrieved 2017-06-12.
- ^ THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/brickell-flatiron