Novalis Contemporary Art Design Gallery is pleased to present Ettore Sottsass & Shiro Kuramata, curated by Seiko Mori/United Voice, supported by the Italian Cultural Institute of Hong Kong and the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong. 2021 marks both the 30th anniversary of Shiro Kuramata’s death and the 40th anniversary of the Memphis Group. The exhibition looks at the extraordinary friendship between the Italian design master Ettore Sottsass (1917 – 2007) and the Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata (1934 – 1991) during their time within the Memphis Group. It will be on view from 17th July to 14th August 2021.

The encounter between the two was magical. When Kuramata received a letter from Sottsass asking him to join the Memphis Group, he was so elated he said, "I got a love letter from Sottsass!" Their interaction began in 1981 with Memphis Group, a project that had tremendous impact on the design world. At that time doubts were being cast on modern design with its pursuit of function and rationality. Sottsass called on designers all over the world and launched the Memphis Group as a solution. The two shared the same love for design, kindred souls in their belief that there is more to design than mere functional objects.

Gallery address: Novalis Contemporary Art Design Gallery, 197 Hollywood Road