The newly launched Gaetano Pesce Foundation is set to preserve and expand the work of the pioneering Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce (1939–2024). The foundation, revealed during the “Gaetano Pesce Studio: Continued” event at Salon 94, aims to maintain Pesce’s legacy through the conservation of his rich archive and the support of exhibitions, publications, and scholarly work. By safeguarding an extensive collection of objects, drawings, and prototypes, the foundation strengthens a tradition that blends design with social commentary and artistic expression.
Preservation Efforts and a Visionary Approach to Design
Gaetano Pesce embraced design as a fluid discipline, navigating seamlessly between art, architecture, and performance. The foundation emphasizes this interdisciplinary approach by continuing to explore how projects can serve as platforms for experimentation and dialogue. It was established according to Pesce’s wishes, with a mission to uphold the innovative spirit reflected in his diverse body of work through thoughtful conservation of his work.
Giulia Tosciri, appointed as director, brings years of experience collaborating with Pesce. Historian and curator Glenn Adamson, who knew Pesce personally, leads as president, promoting educational initiatives and institutional partnerships. Adamson commemorated the foundation’s launch with a poignant message on his Instagram account, celebrating Pesce, calling him one of the most influential figures in art and design of the past century.
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A Dedicated Team for Legacy and Innovation
The foundation’s board embodies a wealth of experience and dedication. Michael J. Greenberg, secretary, has served as counsel to the Gaetano Pesce Estate since 2023. Edward Secker, treasurer, was a close friend of Pesce and now manages the foundation’s financial affairs. Creative director Alessandro Byther, who assumes dual roles in both the foundation and the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Gaetano Pesce Studio, continues to facilitate the production of Pesce’s artistic creations with a focus on maintaining his legacy.
Cultural and Architectural Highlights
The “Come Stai?” chairs, displayed at the Bottega Veneta Summer 2023 show in Milan, exemplify Pesce’s daring aesthetic and functional design ethos. Other seminal works include the Bahia House (1998) and the iconic Organic Building in Osaka, Japan (1989-93), each showcasing his flair for vibrant and thought-provoking architecture preserved through the foundation’s efforts.
Pesce’s philosophy was summarized in one of his last interviews: “To be free means to be incoherent.” This ethos of liberation and experimentation continues to reverberate through the foundation’s activities and preservation initiatives, ensuring his creative legacy remains dynamic and impactful.
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The Gaetano Pesce Foundation is more than a repository; it is a living tribute to Pesce’s vision. Under the stewardship of dedicated experts, it continues to inspire and provoke, embodying his belief that design is indeed a profound way of thinking.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the Gaetano Pesce Foundation?
The Gaetano Pesce Foundation is an organization launched to preserve and expand the work of the pioneering Italian architect and designer Gaetano Pesce. It aims to maintain Pesce’s legacy through the conservation of his rich archive and the support of exhibitions, publications, and scholarly work.
Who is leading the Gaetano Pesce Foundation?
Giulia Tosciri, appointed as director, brings years of experience collaborating with Pesce. Historian and curator Glenn Adamson leads as president, promoting educational initiatives and institutional partnerships.
How does the foundation extend Gaetano Pesce’s legacy?
The foundation extends Gaetano Pesce’s legacy by safeguarding an extensive collection of objects, drawings, and prototypes and by emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach to design. It continues to explore how projects can serve as platforms for experimentation and dialogue.