The glasswork of Ettore Sottsass (1917 – 2007)
The glasswork of Ettore Sottsass (1917 – 2007)
Art

Tue. January 28, 6:30PM

The glasswork of Ettore Sottsass (1917 – 2007)

Shining a light on a lesser-known aspect of the iconic Italian architect and designer’s oeuvre.

Join us for an engaging discussion that delves into a fascinating chapter of Ettore Sottsass’s career: his remarkable work in glass, which pushes the boundaries of the genre.


Art historian and glass specialist Cristina Beltrami and design expert Astrid Malingreau invite you to delve deeper into Sottsass’s glass creations, which hold a special place within his artistic legacy. For example, they will shine a light on the exhibition Venice gallery Le Stanze del Vetro hosted to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth - to which Beltrami contributed. It showcased 200 of the artist’s extraordinary glass and crystal works highlighting his mastery of material and form.


About Ettore Sottsass:

Founder of the Memphis Group, the renowned Italian architect and designer is celebrated for his bold use of colour and his innovative creations in furniture, jewellery, lighting, homeware, buildings, and interiors. He collaborated with Olivetti for more than 30 years, designing groundbreaking products such as the Elea 9003 - the first Italian electronic calculator - in 1959. 

Today, Sottsass’s creations are featured in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Georges Pompidou Centre in Paris, and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

speaker

Cristina Beltrami

Cristina Beltrami, a PhD Art Historian and Curator, is an author and lecturer specialising in contemporary and decorative arts, with her work spanning Venice and Paris. After earning her first PhD on Italian Art Heritage in Uruguay from Ca’ Foscari University in 2001, she contributed to research on Futurism at the Archivio del Novecento within the M.a.r.t. Museum in Rovereto (2005). She later completed a second PhD in 2012, focusing on sculpture at the Venice Biennale between 1895 and 1914. Her academic pursuits centre on two key areas: the history of the Venice Biennale and the traditions of Murano glass. Recently, she served as Chief Editor of B60, a free-press publication dedicated to the 2024 Venice Biennale, and curated the 2023–2024 Art Residence Program for the Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa in Venice. Cristina regularly contributes to exhibitions, catalogues, and public talks within her areas of expertise. ©Enerico Fiorese

speaker

Astrid Malingreau

Astrid Malingreau is the director of Friedman Benda in Paris. After studying literature and editorial skills , Astrid moved to London in 2012 to work in publishing before starting her career in the art market at Christie’s. She worked in the auction house in London and then New York as a specialist in decorative arts and design. In 2019 she moved back to Europe and operated as an independent art advisor based in Milan where she also became a regular contributor to dedicated art and design press. Since 2023 Astrid is the director of the Friedman Benda gallery in Paris, spearheading operations in Europe ahead of the opening of a first Parisian antenna for the American gallery. ©Matthew Avignone
Start
Tue. January 28, 6:30PM
End
Tue. January 28, 9:00PM
Format
TheMerode Talks
Language
English (US)
Guest allowed?
Yes, 1 per member

Address

Event
Place Poelaert, 6
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Parking
Parking Poelaert, Place Poelaert 1000 Brussels

Detailed programme

Welcome
Tue. January 28, 6:30PM
Conversation and Q&A
Tue. January 28, 7:00PM
Networking
Tue. January 28, 8:00PM
End
Tue. January 28, 9:00PM