Zoom. Italian Design and the Photography of Aldo and Marirosa Ballo
March 15 - June 16, 2013
In the second half of the 20th century, Italian design attained worldwide recognition. The Milanese photographers Aldo Ballo and Marirosa Toscani Ballo played an important part in this success. By communicating the beauty and function of objects as well as their cultural message, the Ballos' photographs contributed significantly to the mythological status that surrounds Italian design even today. Based on the holdings of roughly 146,000 photographs in the archive of Studio Ballo, Zoom presents a new view of Italian design and its history. It focuses not only on the legendary design classics that were created during this period, but also examines the intense dialogue between objects, media and marketing that first facilitated the worldwide dissemination of these designs.
Aldo Ballo and Marirosa Toscani Ballo in their studio in Milan, 1971 - 72
Studio Ballo
Nanda Vigo/More Coffee: Due Pìu, 1971
50 x 40 cm
Collection of Marirosa Toscani Ballo
Studio Ballo, 1969
Emilio Fioravanti, GRAssociati: advertising poster with chairs Selene, 1968 by Vico Magistretti for Artemide
60 x 21 cm
Collection of Marirosa Toscani Ballo
Studio Ballo, 1984
Ettore Sottsas: bookshelf Carlton, 1981 for Memphis
Wood
196.6 x 190 x 40.3 cm
Collection of Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein
Studio Ballo
Luigi Baroli/Baleri Italia: Cartoon, 1992
50 x 65 cm
Collection of Marirosa Toscani Ballo
Studio Ballo
Osvaldo Borsani/Techno: D 70, 1953
50 x 65 cm
Collection of Marirosa Toscani Ballo
Studio Ballo
Cesare Leonardi/Franca Stagi: Dondolo rocking chaise lounge, 1967 - 69
Fiberglass
77 x 40.5 x 173 cm
Collection of Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein
Studio Ballo
De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi/Poltronova: Joe, 1970
50 x 65 cm
Collection of Marirosa Toscani Ballo
Studio Ballo, 1983
Ettore Sottsass: fruit bowl Murmansk, 1982 for Memphis
30.5 x 35.2 x 35.2 cm
Studio Ballo
Alessandro Menidni/Alchimia: Proust, 1978
50 x 40 cm
Collection of Marirosa Toscani Ballo
Studio Ballo, 1970
Archizoom: modular sofa Safari for Poltronova, 1968
Fiberglass
65 x 260 x 215 cm
Collection of Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein
Studio Ballo, 1982
Mario Botta: armchair Seconda for Alias, 1982
50 x 40 cm
Collection of Marirosa Toscani Ballo
Studio Ballo
Enzo Mari/Interflex: Tapetto Volante
50 x 65 cm
Collection of Marirosa Toscani Ballo
Studio Ballo, 1977
Ettore Sottsass: vases for Vistosi, 1974
50 x 65 cm
Collection of Marirosa Toscani Ballo
Aldo Ballo and Marirosa Toscani Ballo in their studio in Milan, 1971 - 72
An exhibition of the Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany. Local presentation of this exhibition is curated by Nora Atkinson, and made possible by The Seattle Foundation.