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Ettore Sottsass Quotes

When I was young, all we ever heard about was functionalism, functionalism, functionalism. It’s not enough. Design should also be sensual and exciting.

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

Decoration can be a state of mind, an unusual perception, a ritual whisper.

Ettore Sottsass
Design, Perception, Mind
Ettore Sottsass, Barbara Radice (1988). “Design metaphors”, Rizzoli International Publications

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, Thinking, Blood
Barbara Radice, Ettore Sottsass (1993). “Ettore Sottsass: A Critical Biography”, Rizzoli International Publications

I make no special difference between architecture and design, they are two different stages of invention.

Ettore Sottsass
Two, Differences, Design
Barbara Radice, Ettore Sottsass (1993). “Ettore Sottsass: A Critical Biography”, Rizzoli International Publications

Be patient, calm, compassionate. Know that existence is fleeting.

Ettore Sottsass
Fleeting, Calm, Patient

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form is always metaphorical, never totally metaphysical; it is never a 'destiny' but always a fact with some kind of historical reference.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
Mean, Destiny, Design
Barbara Radice, Ettore Sottsass (1993). “Ettore Sottsass: A Critical Biography”, Rizzoli International Publications

My furniture is an exercise in architecture or architectural mood.

Ettore Sottsass
Exercise, Design, Furniture
Barbara Radice, Ettore Sottsass (1993). “Ettore Sottsass: A Critical Biography”, Rizzoli International Publications

A chair must be really important as an object, because my mother always told me to offer my chair to a lady

Ettore Sottsass
Mother, Important, Chairs

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, Thinking, Doors
Ettore Sottsass, Barbara Radice (1988). “Design metaphors”, Rizzoli International Publications

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
Stupid, Mean, Design

...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
Book, Destiny, Clothes

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