Vela Chairs
Enzo Mari
Production Driade
Set of four chairs designed by Enzo Mari for Driade, 1977.
Vela reflects Enzo Mari’s approach to structure, function and clarity of form. The light beech base gives the chair a clean, precise frame, while the curved plywood seat and backrest, finished in burr veneer, add depth and a more decorative material quality. The contrast between the two surfaces brings warmth to the design without compromising its rigour. Currently out of production, Vela is a refined example of Italian design from the 1970s.
Design: 1977
Dimensions: W 44 × D 51 × H 97.3 cm (each)
Enzo Mari
Born in Novara in 1932, Enzo Mari was an Italian designer, artist, and theorist, a critical figure in twentieth-century design. His work is distinguished by a rigorous approach, interpreting design as a critical tool and opposing the notion of consumption as the ultimate aim of a project. Mari conceived objects as instruments of knowledge and responsibility, capable of educating the viewer and shaping the relationship between humans, production, and society. Central to his philosophy is the Autoprogettazione project, aimed at restoring awareness and engagement to the user. His work has had a profound influence on debates about the social and cultural role of design.
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