Gio Ponti: the man, his life and his work
“Architecture is an interpretation of life.”
-Gio Ponti
We are proud to present the documentary “Vivere alla Ponti”, another visual tribute to the great designer, curated by Francesca Molteni and with the cooperation of the Gio Ponti Archives and Gio Ponti Heirs.
Gio Ponti
Giovanni “Gio” Ponti, (Milan, November 18, 1891 - Milan, September 16, 1979), is one of the 20th century’s masters of architecture. As well as the great architectural works which carry his unmistakable signature, he created a vast amount of work in the furniture sector. This is demonstrated in his three Milanese houses, which were fully furnished in the unique "Ponti" style.
A great promoter of the Italian industrial design, he championed the idea of serial production in interior furnishings as being a "sophisticated", quality, economic, "democratic", modern, and international solution.
1957 XI Triennale Milano © Gio Ponti Archives Archivio storico Eredi Gio Ponti
1960 Alitalia Milano © Gio Ponti Archives Archivio storico Eredi Gio Ponti
“The majority of the objects in our lives
are created and characterised by industry.”
-Gio Ponti
In 2016, Molteni&C and the Ponti heirs agreed on expanding and consolidating the relationship of trust that binds them together by granting the exclusive worldwide production of its furniture to the company, albeit excluding items already produced by third parties at the date of such agreement. An international success, which confirmed the value of a rediscovered legacy and the vitality of the great master, which Molteni&C promoted not only with this documentary, but also with the travelling exhibition “Vivere alla Ponti” and the major exhibitions “Gio Ponti Archi Designer” at the MAD in Paris, and “Gio Ponti Amare l’Architettura” at the MAXXI Museum in Rome, curated by the Gio Ponti Archives.
2013 Vivere alla Ponti - SantaGiulia Museum
2013 Vivere alla Ponti - Vienne
2019 Ponti Archi-Designer - Musée Des Art Décoratifs, Paris
Gio Ponti Heritage Collection
The Gio Ponti collection, which Molteni&C dedicates to the great designer, was established in 2012 in partnership with the Gio Ponti Archives and the Ponti heirs, and under the artistic direction of Studio Cerri & Associati.
A tribute to a career spanning more than five decades, and an opportunity to engage with history and renewing our focus on such a leading figure of Italian and international architecture.
The lengthy process of research, study, and selection, led to remakes of historic items created by the great designer for private homes, special projects, or even small series.
While respecting the original designs, the new additions were, however, produced industrially, applying the latest technologies to bring them up to date, in line with Molteni&C’s total living concept and with contemporary living.
Discover the Heritage designs
The collection, to which new elements are added every year, includes furniture designed by Gio Ponti between 1935 and the 1950s, such as the D. 235.1/2 chair for the first Palazzo Montecatini in Milan, the D.154.2 armchair for Villa Planchart in Caracas, and the D.555.2 small table produced in a limited series for Singer & Sons. A progressively numbered certificate of authenticity issued by the Gio Ponti Archives identifies each item produced.
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