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 Environ Zero modular sofa for Nikol Internazionale - Italy 1970s
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in London, GB
This cocooning modular sofa was designed by Ennio Chiggio (1938–2020) for Nikol Internazionale in the 1970s. Its three segments combine for a wonderfully plump profile, enhanced by v...
Mohair
$27,205 / set
H 25.6 in W 82.68 in D 31.5 in
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
Sofa DS-61 by De Sede, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced by De Sede, Switzerland, 1960s. Good vintage condition with signs of usage.
Leather
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
$7,593
H 29.53 in W 96.46 in D 33.47 in
Maralunga 3-Seat Sofa by Vico Magistretti in Beige Linen, Cassina 1970s Italian
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern "Maralunga" 3-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This example features beige linen. Head / backrests are adjustable for a cheeky look that never ...
Linen
$28,388Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.63 in W 122.84 in D 63 in
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
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Sofa '920' for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Afra & Tobia Scarpa sofa '920' for Cassina, 1970s.
Wood
$33,711
H 23.63 in W 90.56 in D 39.38 in L 23.63 in
Rare Environ Tre Sculptural Sofa by Edoardo Landi, Gruppo N, Nikol, Italy 1971
By Ennio Chiggio, Edoardo Landi
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Sculptural sofa by Edoardo Landi for Nikol Internazionale, Italy 1971 With this sofa you not only get comfort in your home, but also a great work of Art. The sofa creates a shell-like environment that cocoons the sitter. With your own imagination, the sofa can be set up in different ways. This sofa would look beautiful in a Mohair or bouclé Fabric Each sofa is 230 cm in length, 100cm width, the hight is 60cm, seat height 35cm. When setup like a corner 230cmx330cm Born in Modena in 1937, Italy, Landi studied architecture in Venice and attends the School of Industrial Design in Venice between 1962 and 1964. In 1959, he founds Group N with Alberto Biasi, Manfredo Massironi, Toni Costa and Ennio Chiggio. Landi’s work is based on the use of geometric shapes with programmed inclinations or separations, through which he manages changes in the viewer's perception. The artist develops retinal fatigue and optical illusions in some of his works, causing a closer relationship between the viewer and the work. In 1963, he participates with Grupo N at the IV Biennale Internazionale d'Arte di San Marino, where they receive their first prize. Since 1968, his works have been present in international exhibitions in Rome, Oslo, Tokyo, Budapest, Bologna, Paris, Milan and other cities. Since 1971 he has been interested in graphic design and the use of Industrial objects in interior design. Often this sofa is sold as an Ennio Chiggio sofa but is not from his hand, however the sofa was produced by Nikol wich Chiggio also designed for. They were also both a member of the art movement Gruppo N...
Fabric, Foam
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.31 in W 129.93 in D 49.22 in
Curved Velvet Hollywood Regency Sofa, Italy, 1970s
By Marzio Cecchi
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian glam couch in luxurious blue velvet, attributed to Marzio Cecchi. A striking detail is the round brass feet, which complement the deep, elegant tones...
Brass
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 1, Green
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 1 (2x medium, 1x ottoman, 1x armrest): L 240cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / seating H 42cm Model shown on main...
Foam, Wool
$15,968
H 24.81 in W 37.41 in D 71.66 in
Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti - Anfibio Convertible Sofa Bed - 1970s
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FR
Iconic Anfibio convertible sofa designed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti in the early 1970s. A celebrated example of radical Italian design, this sculptural piece combines bold ...
Leather
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 1, Grey
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
Studio sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Setup 1 (2x medium, 1x ottoman, 1x armrest): Measures: L 240cm / P 96cm / H 70cm / seating H 42cm Model shown on main...
Foam
$21,184 / item
H 27.56 in W 110.24 in D 90.56 in
'Studio' Sofa by Norr11, Modular Sofa, Setup 5, Green
By Norr11
Located in Paris, IDF
STUDIO sofa by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for Nor11 Measures: Setup 5 (1x small,1x medium,1x large, 1x corner, 1x ottoman, 2x ottoman classic, 3x armrest): L230-280cm & 2...
Foam
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