Note from the editor:

This book features the magazines and books which Ettore Sottsass wrote, illustrated or edited over a period of 60 years from 1947-2006. Works on printed paper for which Sottsass set up texts, illustrations and/or graphic inventions.

His multi-faceted publishing works are grouped together in eight separate sections – the magazine “Room East 128. Chronicle”, books published for the “East 128” edition, “Pianeta Fresco”, inserts in architecture and design magazines, illustrated books and theoretical writings, catalogues for the “Memphis” Group, the magazine “Terrazzo” and augural publications for Studio Sottsass Associati – and are accompanied by contributions by Barbara Radice, Andrea Branzi, Michele De Lucchi, Nathalie Du Pasquier, Elio Fiorucci, Christoph Radl, Franco Raggi and Lea Vergine.

Ettore Sottsass (Innsbruck, 1917 – Milan, 2007) opened the first design studio in Milan in 1947. In 1958 he began his collaboration with Olivetti, which issued design icons such as the calculating machine Elea 9003 (1959) and the typewriter Valentine (1969, with Perry King), both awarded the Compasso d’Oro. In 1980 he established the studio Sottsass Associati in Milan. In 1981 he founded the Memphis Group with Hans Hollein, Arata Isozaki, Andrea Branzi, Michele De Lucchi, Aldo Cibic and other internationally renowned architects. Several exhibitions the world over have been dedicated to his career as architect and designer.

Giorgio Maffei is an expert in artists’ books. With Corraini he has already published among others Sol LeWitt. Artist’s Books (with Emanuele De Donno), The book as a work of art (with Maura Picciau), Arte Povera. Books and Documents and Munari’s Books.

Bruno Tonini is scholar and expert in literary avantgardes, architecture and graphic design; he is author of several publications and curator of exhibitions about books in Futurism and typographic art in XXth century.