Molto Bello: Icons Of Modern Italian Design

On display from 26 October 2024 to 23 March 2025, Molto Bello: Icons of Modern Italian Design tells the remarkable story of how, through the marriage of Italy’s rich craft tradition, technological advances and a capacity for creativity, experimentation and invention, Italian design became admired throughout the world.

Heide Museum of Modern Art presents major survey exhibition of iconic twentieth-century Italian design.

Heide Museum of Modern Art will be showcasing many of the most significant achievements in the history of twentieth-century Italian design, presented by Italian civil engineering group Webuild and supported by the Italian Australian Foundation and John and Rose Downer Foundation.

Molto Bello: Icons of Modern Italian Design brings together more than 170 objects spanning the sixty year period from the first Milan Design Triennale in the 1930s to the Memphis Group of the 1980s. Held across Heide’s Main Galleries and Heide Modern, the exhibition celebrates key figures in the industry and their enduring contribution to global culture. From the dynamic early work of architect–designers such as Gio Ponti and Carlo Mollino, through the ingenious and stylish creations of Gae Aulenti, Joe Colombo, and the Castiglioni brothers, to the quirky and provocative Radical Design movement, Memphis Milano, prominent design figures Ettore Sottsass, Nanda Vigo, Gaetano Pesce, and more.

Memphis Milano

Pictured left: Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni | Pictured right: Ettore Sottsass

Living Edge is proud to bring the very best of Italian design to Australia, showcasing the rich heritage and innovation that defines Italy’s design landscape. Italian brands like Gufram, Brionvega, and Memphis Milano who, along with visionary designers such as Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and Piero Lissoni, are at the forefront of Living Edge’s curated collection. These brands and designers are celebrated for their bold creativity, exceptional craftsmanship, and ability to blend tradition with modernity.

Living Edge is thrilled to have contributed several pieces to the Molto Bello installation including a Gufram Cactus, Brionvega Radiofonografo, Memphis Milano California Rug and Kristall End Table.

Gufram

Gufram

The Gufram Cactus is known for its playful and avant-garde approach to everyday objects. Created in 1972 by designers Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, the Cactus embodies the spirit of Italian Radical Design, which challenged traditional concepts of form and function. This sculptural coat stand, with its vibrant green hue and exaggerated, cartoonish form, blurs the line between art and design, reflecting Italy's daring creativity in the 1970s. The Cactus is not just a practical object but a statement piece that exemplifies the bold, experimental ethos that has defined Italian design. Its enduring presence in museums and collections around the world speaks to its significance as a cultural icon and a testament to Italy’s influence on modern design.

Brionvega

Brionvega

The Brionvega Radiofonografo is a timeless icon of Italian design, renowned for its sleek, modernist aesthetic and high-fidelity sound. Designed by the legendary duo Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965, this multifunctional piece revolutionised the concept of home audio systems. Combining a record player, radio, and speakers into one harmonious unit, the Radiofonografo reflects both the Castiglionis' signature playfulness and Italy’s mid-century design ethos of merging form with function. Its distinctive modular structure allows it to adapt to various configurations, making it not just a piece of technology, but an artwork in its own right. The Radiofonografo's enduring appeal lies in its perfect blend of nostalgic charm and cutting-edge design, cementing its place as a symbol of Italian creativity and innovation.

Memphis Milano

Memphis Milano

The Memphis Milano California Rug and the Kristall End Table epitomise the bold, unconventional spirit of the Memphis design movement, which emerged in the 1980s under the leadership of Ettore Sottsass. The California Rug features vibrant geometric shapes and striking colours, reflecting the playful yet sophisticated approach of the Memphis Milano aesthetic. This rug, like many Memphis designs, challenges traditional ideas of form and function, transforming a simple textile into a statement piece for any space.

Kristall Table

The Kristall End Table, with its distinct angular form and eye-catching use of primary colours and transparent surfaces, embodies the avant-garde creativity that defines Memphis design. Its asymmetrical design combines both sculptural and functional elements, making it as much a work of art as it is a practical furnishing. Together, these pieces encapsulate the daring, artistic energy of Memphis Milano, offering a playful yet timeless expression of postmodern design.

 

Heide Museum of Modern Art Head Curator Kendrah Morgan said: “We are delighted to be showcasing so many pieces from one of the most compelling and influential periods of design innovation, and which reflect significant shifts in Italy’s social, cultural and political landscape. The exhibition is the result of extensive research and close collaboration with design experts. The objects have been sourced entirely from within Australia, thanks to the assistance of generous individual collectors and design enthusiasts.”

Living Edge acknowledges the Traditional
Owners of Country throughout Australia.
We pay our respects to Elders past and present.