Gillo Dorfles (1910 – 2018) Italian art critic, painter, and philosopher

Advertisements
Gillo Dorfles on TV Show
Gillo Dorfles on TV Show

Gillo Dorfles was an Italian art critic, philosopher, and artist born on April 12, 1910, in Trieste, Italy, and passed away on March 2, 2018, in Milan, Italy. He was a prominent figure in the field of aesthetics and made significant contributions to the study of contemporary art.

Education

Dorfles received his degree in medicine from the University of Milan in 1936, but his passion for art led him to pursue a career as an art critic and theorist. He played a crucial role in developing the Italian art scene and was associated with the avant-garde movements of the 20th century.

Biography

In 1948, with Soldatai, Monnet, and Munari, he was a founder of MAC (Movimento Arte Concreta). In 1956, he became a member of ADI (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale), a promotion committee member. 

“Gillo Dorfles was a visionary art critic who fearlessly navigated the ever-changing landscape of contemporary art, inspiring generations with his profound insights and unyielding passion for artistic expression.”

As an art critic, Dorfles was known for his interdisciplinary approach, incorporating philosophy, sociology, and psychology into his art analyses. He believed that art should reflect the cultural and social context in which it was created and often examined the relationship between art and technology.

Dorfles authored numerous books and essays on art and aesthetics, including “Introduction to Contemporary Art” (1968) and “Kitsch: An Anthology of Bad Taste” (1968), which explored the concept of kitsch and its significance in contemporary culture. He also curated exhibitions and lectured extensively on art and culture.

Throughout his career, Dorfles was a proponent of artistic experimentation and openness to new forms of expression. He embraced a broad range of artistic styles and movements, advocating for the importance of individual creativity and innovation in art.

Academia

  • He was a professor of aesthetics at Universita di Trieste. 
  • He was on the committee of the 1955 industrial design exhibition London. 
  • He was a member of the international industrial design stand, 1957 (XI) Triennale di Milano; 
  • Of the jury at ‘BIO’ Industrial Design Biennale, Ljubljana; 
  • Of the jury at the event in Jablonec (now the Czech Republic); 
  • Commissioner of the industrial stand at 1960 (XII) Triennale di Milano; 
  • Delegate at 1957 ‘Journée de l’Esthetique Industrielle,’ Paris; 
  • Speaker at ICSID (International Congress of Industrial Designers), London; 
  • Speaker at industrial section, 1957 Congresso dell’Aica, Naples. 
  • Dorfles participated in the congress, 1954 (X) Triennale di Milano; 
  • 1957 meeting of CIAM (Congrés Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne) in Venice; and in 
  • 1961—62 events at Instituto Disegno Industriale, Florence; Italian Institute, London; 
  • In 1963, Kunstgew-erbemuseum, Ziirich. 
  • He published books Il Disegno Industriale e la sua estetica (1963) and Introduzione al Disegno Industriale (1971); 
  • He was one of the first to observe the Kitsch in decoration and design, publishing Kitsch (1968).

Sources 

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.

Advertisements

More on Design Education

  • Stuart Ash:  Shaped Canadian Graphic Design

    Stuart Ash: Shaped Canadian Graphic Design

    Stuart Ash, a pioneer of Canadian graphic design, co-founded Gottschalk + Ash International in 1966, creating transformative visual identities like the Canadian Centennial symbol. His minimalist designs, garnering many awards, significantly elevated Canadian design’s global status and continue to influence new generations of designers.Read More →


    Read More →


  • 7 Reasons Why ‘Good Design’ Improves Your Mood

    7 Reasons Why ‘Good Design’ Improves Your Mood

    Well-designed products enhance our mood through aesthetic pleasure, functionality, psychological impact, evoking nostalgia, quality craftsmanship, alignment with personal values, and novelty. These aspects make them catalysts for emotional well-being.Read More →


    Read More →


  • How Lighting Affects Consumer Behavior Across Cultures

    How Lighting Affects Consumer Behavior Across Cultures

    Lighting hugely influences interior design, impacting emotional states and consumer behaviour. Cultural background also affects lighting preferences, with American customers favoring warmer light and Korean consumers preferring cooler tones. Therefore, a diverse and multicultural approach to lighting design is critical.Read More →


    Read More →


  • The Gratitude of Design – Senbon Torii at Fushimi Inari-taisha

    The Gratitude of Design – Senbon Torii at Fushimi Inari-taisha

    Discover the captivating story of the Senbon Torii at Fushimi Inari-taisha, where each gate embodies a unique tale of gratitude and exceptional design. Explore the spirituality and craftsmanship behind this awe-inspiring pathway in Kyoto, Japan.Read More →


    Read More →


  • Victor Papanek (1923 – 1998) socially responsible Design Prophet

    Victor Papanek (1923 – 1998) socially responsible Design Prophet

    Victor Papanek was a socially responsible designer. Design for the Real World, his book, was released in 20 different languages. TELL ME MORERead More →


    Read More →


  • Aalto University, Helsinki: School of Arts, Design and Architecture – Merging History and Modernity

    Aalto University, Helsinki: School of Arts, Design and Architecture – Merging History and Modernity

    Aalto University, located in Helsinki, Finland, is renowned for its School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Formed in 2010 by merging three prestigious Finnish universities, Aalto University blends historical traditions and modern innovation. The School’s roots lie in the 1871-established School of Arts and Crafts, which evolved and relocated over the years to its current…


    Read More →


  • Gillo Dorfles (1910 – 2018) Italian art critic, painter, and philosopher

    Gillo Dorfles (1910 – 2018) Italian art critic, painter, and philosopher

    Gillo Dorfles (1910 – 2018) was an Italian art critic, painter, and philosopher. He was born in Trieste and active in Milan.Read More →


    Read More →


  • Albert Reimann (1874 – 1971) German metalworker and educator

    Albert Reimann (1874 – 1971) German metalworker and educator

    Albert and his wife Klara Reimann founded the Schülerwerkstatten für Kleinplastik (School for Small Sculpture) in Berlin in 1902. Reimann was a gifted craftsman who created prototypes to produce bronze, copper, silver, gold, and pottery. Read More →


    Read More →


  • Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector

    Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector

    “Design Thinking for the Greater Good” explores how design thinking, already successful in the commercial world, can be applied by social sector organizations to address complex issues. The authors present ten stories of struggles and successes in various sectors, demonstrating how collaborative creativity can overcome entrenched bureaucracies. The book provides a practical roadmap for implementing…


    Read More →


  • Chicago Institute of Design – Landmark of Design Learning

    Chicago Institute of Design – Landmark of Design Learning

    In Chicago, the Institute of Design was established by László Moholy-Nagy in 1939, following several short-lived precedents beginning with the New Bauhaus in Chicago, established in 1937 under the direction of Moholy-Nagy, with Walter Gropius, a former member of the Bauhaus, as a consultant.Read More →


    Read More →


  • Exploring the Pedagogy of the Bauhaus: A Typical Lesson

    Exploring the Pedagogy of the Bauhaus: A Typical Lesson

    The Bauhaus School, founded by Walter Gropius in 1919, revolutionized art, architecture, and design by combining theoretical knowledge with practical training. Students completed the Vorkurs, followed by specific workshops, theoretical instruction, and interdisciplinary projects, fostering unity across arts and crafts.Read More →


    Read More →


  • Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) – A Leader in Decorative Arts

    Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) – A Leader in Decorative Arts

    The Victoria and Albert Museum ( V&A ) is one of the world’s foremost collections of decorative arts and architecture. It served as a model for the development of applied arts museums in Vienna (1864), Berlin (1867), Oslo (1876), Copenhagen (1890), and other cities.Read More →


    Read More →


  • Enzo Frateili (1914 – 1993) Italian Designer

    Enzo Frateili (1914 – 1993) Italian Designer

    Enzo Frateili was an Italian designer born in Rome and active in Milan. Frateili began his professional career in 1955. In the early 50s, he worked at Stile Industrial; in 1962 he was the Italian correspondent to the journal form. His books included Archiektur und Komfort (1967) and Design e Civiltà della Machina (1969). The…


    Read More →


  • Tomas Maldonado (1922- 2018) Italian Design Theorist

    Tomas Maldonado (1922- 2018) Italian Design Theorist

    Tomas Maldonado was an Italian design theorist and industrial designer who led a revolt against aesthetic taste and functional problem-solving in design thinking. Max Bill’s goal was to bring back the Bauhaus ideas and make Germany the centre of design after the war.Read More →


    Read More →


  • Rhode Island School of Design – Prestigious Design Education

    Rhode Island School of Design – Prestigious Design Education

    Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a private art and design school in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1877 and now offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in 19 different fields. It is affiliated with Brown University, with which it shares a College Hill campus.Read More →


    Read More →


  • Beautiful Evidence – Learn how to Show and Present Data

    Beautiful Evidence – Learn how to Show and Present Data

    Beautiful Evidence is a book that teaches how to show information clearly and effectively, suggests new designs, and provides analytical tools for judging credibility. It also moves away from pixel and paper flatlands and into the real world of three-dimensional space and time.Read More →


    Read More →


  • Garniture – Decorative set of Porcelain

    Garniture – Decorative set of Porcelain

    Usually on a fireplace mantel. Garnitures were put on furniture and ledges or niches around a room’s walls, notably over doors or fireplaces.Read More →


    Read More →


  • Domus (1928) magazine devoted to design & architecture

    Domus (1928) magazine devoted to design & architecture

    Gio Ponti founded Domus in 1928, this journal devoted to architecture and design, originally named “L’ Arte della Casa,” has been at the forefront of design debate in Italy. In the 1930s, it was mainly concerned with a Novecento aesthetic, but it also paid attention to more radical tendencies, as Persico’s 1934 article “A New Start for…


    Read More →


  • Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture

    Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture

    Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture is a place for artists to live and work, and is one of the only U.S. schools to teach the ancient art of fresco. Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture raised $21 million to help young artists and create an archive of over 700 lectures. LEARN MORERead More →


    Read More →


  • Black Mountain College (1933 – 1957) the experimental spirit

    Black Mountain College (1933 – 1957) the experimental spirit

    Black Mountain College was founded by John Andrew Rice and a group of dissident, radical academics in North Carolina’s mountains in 1933. It symbolised academic freedom and the experimental spirit of American culture.Read More →


    Read More →


You may also be interested in

Industrial Design – Magazine 1954 – 2009 – Encyclopedia of Design

Alvin Lustig, Cover for Industrial Design magazine, April 1954, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, gift of Tamar Cohen, reproduced courtesy F + W Media, Inc. Founded when the industrial design profession was becoming firmly established in the American manufacturing industry, Industrial Design has long been established as America’s leading magazine for industrial designers.

Italian Association for Industrial Design (ADI) (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale) – Encyclopedia of Design

The Association of Industrial Design (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale) (ADI) Since 1956, has brought together designers, companies, researchers, teachers, critics, journalists around the themes of Italian industrial design. It is the lead organisation of the development of industrial design as a cultural and economic phenomenon in Italy.

More design articles

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.