Flashlights 1983 by Emilio Ambasz
Flashlights 1983 by Emilio Ambasz

Emilio Ambasz is an Argentinean who studied architecture at Princeton University from 1960 to 1965, worked at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York from 1970 to 1975 as Curator of Design arranged the landmark Italy: The New Domestic Landscape Exhibition in 1972. As seen in the work of groups like Archizoom and Superstudio, this showcase for Italian avant-garde design thought explored the concept of objects as part of an entire world rather than discrete, stand-alone, aesthetically self-conscious items. 

In 1974, he curated the MOMA exhibition The Chairs of Charles R. Mackintosh. In 1976, he produced the MOMA exhibition The Taxi Project: Practical Solutions Today, which focused on environmental issues. 

Opened offices

In 1976, he opened architectural and design offices in New York and Bologna, Italy, as an industrial, graphic, and exhibition designer. 

Design Works

In 1981, Emilio Ambasz formed the Emilio Ambasz Design Group in New York. The Ergonomic Vertebra chair for Open Ark (1976), which adapted to the user’s movements, the Dorsal seating system (1981), spotlights for Logotec (1981), and the Osiris lighting system for Erco Leuchten (1981) were all design successes (1983). He’s held various educational positions in Europe and the United States, including a visiting professorship at Ulm’s Hochschule für Gestaltung in 1967.

Casa de Retiro Espiritual, Córdoba, Spain, Section 1979 by Emilio Ambasz
Casa de Retiro Espiritual, Córdoba, Spain, Section 1979 by Emilio Ambasz
Vertebra Operational Chair 1975 by Emilio Ambasz, Giancarlo Piretti
Vertebra Operational Chair 1975 by Emilio Ambasz, Giancarlo Piretti

Also, he has received several design awards, including the American Institute of Graphic Arts Award in 1973, the US National Design Award in 1980, and the Compasso d’Oro in 1981.

Sources

Woodham, J. M. (2006). A dictionary of modern design. Oxford University Press.

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