Gaetano Pesce

Gaetano Pesce is an iconic Italian architect, designer, and artist known for his bold, unconventional, and emotionally expressive work. Born in La Spezia in 1939, he studied architecture in Venice and quickly became a leading figure in the Radical Design movement of the 1960s and 70s. Pesce’s work challenges traditional boundaries between art and design, embracing imperfection, individuality, and social commentary. He is best known for using experimental materials like resin and polyurethane foam, creating pieces that are colorful, irregular, and deeply personal—such as the iconic Up series for B&B Italia, which includes the anthropomorphic Up5_6 chair. Over his career, Pesce has collaborated with brands like Cassina, Vitra, and Zerodisegno, and his work is held in major museums worldwide. He continues to inspire with his belief that design should reflect human diversity and provoke thought.