Ten years have passed since the death of Gaetana Aulentioccurred on October 31, 2012. considered one of the most influential architects and designers From the postwar period, some of his first works included the design of the Olivetti stores and the writing in the specialized magazine Casabella. Its first products arose in the sixties for firms such as Zanotta and Potronovaand they were part of a creative moment that positioned worldwide Italian design of furniture and products.
His great works and international recognition came with the project of the Orsay Museumwhich culminated in the mid -eighties. Their prolifest and delivery were notable; In fact, he worked until the end of his days. Born in Udine, in 1927, Aulenti died in Milan with 84 years.
In December 2012, the same year of his death, the square dedicated to his name was inaugurated in Milan: the Piazza Gae Aulenti is in the epicenter of the more modern area of Milanmarking the cross between the historical area and the financial districts. However, its international notoriety should be greater, as the Vitra Design Museum In 2020, when opening the exhibition in his honor «Gae aulenti: a creative universe».
«Although Aulenti conducted more than 700 projects, it is relatively unknown outside its native Italy,» the curatorial team said on that occasion. To counteract this underestimate carelessness, the museum wanted to explore the Aulenti's multifaceted work bodywhich included works by architecture, industrial design, interior design and Sets design and clothing.
“I remember having coincided with Gae at a Christmas dinner in Milan and realizing that night, seeing her next to Ettore Sottsass and Piero Castiglionithat it was one of the funniest people and happening in the sector, ”he recalled, on the occasion of his death, the Italian architect based in Barcelona, Benedetta Tagliabue. «And it was that mixture of Sympathy and talent and geniuswhich, together with her love for work, led her to build works of great draft. ”
«Was A woman of character. He never stopped working. His study was connected to his house so that, through a little port, he could get to his beloved tables, where he did what he really liked to do, I Suoi Pasticci: Draw, color, experiment, try and always invent, ”concluded Tagliabue. «Luckily for this trade and for humanity.»
Next, we remember some of the Milestones in Gae Aulenti's career.