Multidisciplinary artist, sculptor and designer Ennio Chiggio was not only known for his Space Age lamps and voluptuous, modular Environ sofas, but he was also renowned as a technological innovator, electronic music producer and researcher, who explored the relationship between mathematics and art.
Born in 1938 in Naples, Chiggio studied technology and art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice. While still in school, in 1957, Chiggio began painting kinetic art using tempera on cardboard and ink on paper. By 1960, he had joined the artists’ collective Gruppo N, founded by Alberto Biasi, Edoardo Landi, Manfredo Massironi and Toni Costa.
With Gruppo N, Chiggio participated in several exhibitions such as “Programmed Art,” presented by Italian intellectual Umberto Eco, which showed in Milan, Venice and Rome in 1962 and in London and New York in 1964. By the following year, Chiggio’s interests had turned to sound and music production, and he founded the Group of Experimental Phonology NPS (New Proposals Sound) with pianist and composer Teresa Rampazzi.
From 1964 to ’77, Chiggio operated a design studio that focused on furniture and lighting as well as glass and electromechanical objects. His most well-known lighting includes the Ciot floor lamp for Italian manufacturer Lumenform, sculptural table lamps and wall sconces for Emmezeta.
After closing his design studio in 1978, Chiggio dedicated his time to teaching, serving as a professor of design and industrial aesthetics at his alma mater. In 1996, he opened the Embtool multimedia research laboratory in Padua, where he made short films about art and architecture and conducted computational music research, exploring the relationship between mathematical models and artistic expression.
Throughout the 2000s until his death in 2020, Chiggio participated in several exhibitions at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome, the MACBA Museo de Arte Contemporáneo in Buenos Aires and Museum Ritter in Waldenbuch, Germany. Public collections throughout Italy and Germany also feature his works.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of innovative Ennio Chiggio furniture.
Ennio Chiggio Envorin one sofa by Nikol International Italy 1970
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
The Environ One Sofa, designed by renowned Italian designer Ennio Chiggio and manufactured by Nikol International in 1970, stands as a rare and remarkable example of Mid-Century Mode...
Velvet
Environ Zero sofa by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, Italy, 1970's
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Melbourne, VIC
Environ Zero sofa by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, Italy, 1970's. Newly Restored and upholstered in Italy.
Fabric
$27,902Sale Price|20% Off
Environ 1 modular sofa designed by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol Internation 1970
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Environ 1 modular sofa designed by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, 1970. Polyurethane foam frame, cotton fabric, faux leather backing, metal inserts, composed of 4 joined elem...
Cotton
Ennio Chiggio 'Environ One' Sofa for Nikol International, Italy, 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The Environ One Sofa by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, 1970, is a rare vintage piece of furniture that exemplifies the best of Mid-Century Modern desi...
Wool
Ennio Chiggio “Environ” Modular Sofa for Nikol International, 1969
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Ennio Chiggio “Environ” modular sofa for Nikol International, 1969 The Ennio Chiggio "Environ" sofa for Nikol International, designed in the 1960s, is a ...
Fabric, Foam, Chenille
$26,740 / set
Living room Sofa and two armchairs from the 1970s, designed by Ennio Chiggio Habitat IDS
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant and sculptural seating set designed by Ennio Chiggio for haBITAT iDS, comprising a sofa and matching armchairs. The structure is crafted in molded polyurethane with lower ba...
Leather
Rare "California Chair" by Ennio Ludovico Chiggio (Gruppo N) for Nikol Internati
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in leucate, FR
Immerse yourself in the bold spirit of 1970s Italian design with this exceptional and extremely rare "California Chair," conceived in 1973 by the influential designer Ennio Ludovico ...
Metal
$23,221 / set
H 27.96 in W 76.38 in D 32.29 in
Midcentury Italian Lacquer Brass Living Room Set by Romeo Rega, 1970s
By Romeo Rega
Located in Paris, IDF
This three elements living room set from the Mid-Century Modern Italian Riviera period designed by Romeo Rega is bursting with nostalgia. With its impeccable design, perfect proporti...
Brass
1970s Green 3-Seater Sofa/bed, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition - Fabric in good condition - Extended dimension: 167cm. - Cleaned - Seat Height 41cm
Fabric
$4,413 / set
H 28.75 in W 196.86 in D 37.41 in
Nuvolone modular leather sofa 5 modules 70s Rino Maturi for Mimo Design
By Mimo Padova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Modular cognaq leather sofa Nuvolone model designed in the 1970s by Rino Maturi for Mimo Design. the sofa is composed of by 5 seats including 1 ottoman and a corner module. the Sofa...
Leather, Wood
$27,500 / set
H 27.5 in W 37.5 in D 37.5 in
Mario Bellini for C&B Italia First Edition 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa, 1970
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in New York, NY
'Camaleonda' First Edition modular sofa, designed by Mario Bellini, for C&B Italia, 1970. The structure is constructed of wood and upholstery in fabric. Original label. Prod. C&B,...
Fabric, Wood
$10,463 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
$19,500 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna Velvet, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, set of four. "Camaleonda" is an icon, redis...
Velvet, Plastic
A Two-Seater Sofa by Jacques Charpentier, 1970s France.
By Jacques Charpentier
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
This stunning two-seater sofa from the 1970s by Jacques Charpentier retains its original velvet upholstery, showcasing exceptional patina and offering superior comfort. The chrome s...
Stainless Steel
$4,127 / set
H 27.56 in W 23.63 in D 37.01 in
Set of 3 Armchairs / Modular Sofa by Adriano Piazzesi, Italy, 1970s
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Modular living room set consisting of three identical armchairs that can be joined together to form a three-seater sofa or a two-seater sofa and an armchair. An iconic model designed...
Steel
$6,743
H 30.71 in W 89.38 in D 30.71 in
Model 578 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Karis, Nyland
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Florence Knoll, model 578, produced by Knoll International in the 1950s. The design reflects Knoll’s signature balance of clean lines and f...
Metal
Space Age Italian Velvet Modular Sofa, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful two-seater sofa in Italian velvet from the 1970s Space Age period. The Italian sofa is made of dark orange textured velvet fabric. Its lines are very rounded with soft and ...
Velvet
$11,094Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 23.63 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
Complete Living Room Sofa and Armchairs Design Sergio Asti for Poltronova, 1962
By Sergio Asti, Poltronova
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid living room with sofa and pair of armchairs, "zelda" model, designed by sergio asti for poltronova in 1962 The sofa measures 210 cm in length, 80 cm in depth and 60 cm in...
Leather, Wood
Rino Maturi, Large Sectional Sofa, Fabric, Italy, 1970s
By Mimo Padova
Located in High Point, NC
A large blue fabric modular sectional sofa designed by Rino Maturi and produced by MIMO Padova, Italy, c. 1970s. Seat height 16” Dimensions variable.
Fabric
Ennio Chiggio White Faux Leather 'Environ One' Sofa
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ennio Chiggio for Nikol Internazionale, white faux leather sofa, Italy, 1970s This important canapé Environ One is designed by Ennio Chiggo...
Faux Leather
Sold
H 24.02 in W 98.43 in D 125.99 in
Ennio Chiggio Environ One Sofa For Nikol International, Italy 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Ennio chiggio Environ One sofa for Nikol International, Italy 1970s in original fabric. This rare sofa exemplifies the seventies Italian design. Created by the renowned Italian desi...
Velvet, Plastic
Sold
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 37.8 in
Ennio Chiggio Chaise Sofa in Mohair for Nikol International, Italy, 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in London, GB
This two-part modular sofa was designed by Ennio Chiggio (1938-2020) for Nikol Internazionale in the 1970s. The sofa creates a shell-like environment that cocoons the sitter. In g...
Wool
Sold
H 24.02 in W 190.95 in D 145.67 in
Environ One sofa by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol International, 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in amstelveen, NL
Ennio Chiggio for Nikol Internazionale, Italy, 1970s This important canapé Environ One is designed by Ennio Chiggio for Nikol Internazionale in the 1970s. This rare modular sofa is ...
Fabric
Ennio Chiggio 'Environ Sofa' Gruppo N for Nikol, Italy, 1969
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Den Haag, NL
Ennio Chiggio 'Environ sofa' Gruppo N for Nikol, Italy, 1969. Complete surrounding for conversation and rest.
Upholstery, Foam