MILAN, Italy–Ettore Sottsass, an Italian designer who created Italian company Olivetti’s well-known red plastic typewriter, as well as products for Alessi, died at his home here. He was 90.
Born in Innsbruck, Austria, in 1917 and trained as an architect, Sottsass created products from office equipment to ceramics to jewelry, including tabletop, barware and kitchenware for Alessi in the 1970s. In the 1980s, he was one of the founders of the Memphis group, a highly influential design company in Milan known for its brightly colored postmodern furniture, lighting and ceramics.
In early December, an exhibition dedicated to the designer opened in Trieste, Italy, to celebrate Sottsass’ 90th birthday, which was in September. Called “I Want to Know Why,” the exhibition includes 130 of his designs and closes March 2.