Zanotta Fall Sale

Martino Zanotta's Lecture at CCA and Dinner at DZINE

Last week was very inspiring and educational with Martino Zanotta, the President and CEO of Zanotta SpA, in town. He arrived in San Francisco last Wednesday to give a lecture at California College of the Arts, coordinated by the school's furniture program and DZINE.

With an audience of over 120 design enthusiasts and professionals, Martino Zanotta shared the story of the company which was founded in 1954 by his father, Aurelio Zanotta. A video presented the long history of Zanotta and included interviews with a number of design icons, such as Enzo Mari, Gae Aulenti and Achille Castiglioni. The new breed of designers collaborating with Zanotta, such as Damien Williamson and Noe Duchaufour Lawrance, was also given time on the video to share their unique stories behind the products. Zanotta, unlike many other furniture manufacturers, never focused on just one vision or one designer. Instead, Aurelio looked to produce an eclectic collection of pieces, and always felt his company to be a design company, rather than only a manufacturer. Zanotta has been the leader in furniture design because of it's innovation and use of materials, as it has never stopped questioning design and has resulted in many breakthrough pieces. The ‘Throw-Away’ was the first all foam sofa and the most well-known 'Sacco', developed over 40 years ago, was the very first bean bag chair, symbolizing freedom and nonconformity. Pieces from Zanotta’s collection are held in numerous museums around the world. Many of Zanotta's products are often duplicated, but this only reinforces the significance of the original design.

Today, the company is still run by the Zanotta family and from the way that Martino speaks about it, is likely to stay that way. Zanotta’s vision began with Aurelio Zanotta and continues with the next generation and partnerships with new designers.

Following his presentation Martino opened up the floor for Q&A, where he was able to touch upon topics of sustainability, company direction, relationship between manufacturer and designer, the future of design, and advances in technology.

The following evening, Martino Zanotta joined DZINE for an intimate dinner in his honor. About 25 guests were given the unique opportunity to mingle and dine with Martino, as well as a personal tour through each of the pieces displayed at DZINE.

Lecture with Martino Zanotta-September 22, 2010 at CCA 7pm

This coming Wednesday, September 22, California College of the Arts' Furniture Program and DZINE will be hosting an evening with Martino Zanotta, the President and CEO of Zanotta SpA. For over 50 years Zanotta has collaborated with internationally famed designers and architects from all over the world and produced many influential pieces. This night will be truly inspiring and should not be missed. For more information please visit the CCA website.

http://www.cca.edu/calendar/2010/lecture-martino-zanotta

DZINE is proud to be the exclusive dealer for the Zanotta collection. You are welcome to stop by and see many pieces from their extensive collection including classic designs by Achille Castiglioni, Carlo Mollino, and Superstudio.

Mezzadro designed by Achille Castiglioni

 

Maggiolina designed by Marco Zanuso

Tempo table designed by Prospero Rasulo

Derby designed by Noe Duchafour Lawrence

Gilda designed by Carlo Mollino 

Tod table designed by Tod Bracher

 

Canaletto table designed by Emaf Progetti

We have also added a few new pieces to our Zanotta display.

The William is a new collection by British designer Damian Williamson. It responds to two basic needs: the sense of touch and proportion. The design of the William stems from the idea of deconstructing the sofa into "comfort layers", not just visually but also in practice, beginning from the structural bottom layer, moving up to the central layer of polyurethane foam and finally to the soft top layer made of goose down. The resulting three layers provide a unique and inviting detail, as they seem to be floating atop die-cast aluminum legs. The William was presented at the Milan Furniture Fair this past April and is already a success. Included in the collection are sofas, an armchair, ottoman, and day bed.

The William with the Tod side table

The Sacco, designed over 40 years ago by 3 architects from Turin, Giatti, Cesare Paolini, and Franco Teodoro, is truly an iconic piece. It has received several international awards, was exhibited in 1972 at the MOMA in New York, and today is part of the permanent collection of 26 international museums. While there have been many imitators over the years, there is only one original and authentic Sacco.

Our newest Sacco

The Lia/Lio collection has been a popular staple in the DZINE showroom, thanks to its stylish yet comfortable design. Designed by Roberto Barbieri, the collection was a remarkable innovation in chair design, reducing the construction to a simple aluminum frame with a removable cover. Our newest additions include Lia dining chairs and Lio bar stools, part of the complete collection of 9 chairs and stools.

Martino Zanotta awarded Gold Medal for "Industrial Merit"

Martino Zanotta, the President and CEO of Zanotta SpA, was awarded the Gold Medal for Industrial Merit.  The award was presented by Confindustria Monza and Brianza last October at the closing ceremony of the Association's annual assembly at the Formula One Racetrack of Monza. Martino received this award as "recognition of the intense and constant activity dedicated to the development of the business"-founded by his father Aurelio in 1954-which today confirmed a long entrepreneurial tradition in industrial design. The award was presented before the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, the National President of Confindustria, Emma Marcegaglia, and the President of Confindustria Monza and Brianza, Renato Cerioli.















Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, Martino Zanotta, National President of Confindustria, Emma Marcegaglia, and President of Confindustria Monza and Brianza, Renato Cerioli.