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.
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
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
Sofa by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Brussels, BE
Sofa by Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, Italy, 1970s
Fabric
Mid century italian sofa, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century sofa in brown faux leather designed in italy in the 1970s. Very thick and comfortable cushions with an elegant design. Good original condition. 1970s - Italy Dimensi...
Faux Leather
$26,200
H 26.38 in W 98.43 in D 39.38 in
Soriana Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Antwerp, BE
Three-seater Soriana sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, a rare and coveted piece of Italian design from the 1970s. Upholstered in sumptuous black leather, the sofa embodies t...
Leather
Italian vintage sofa by 1P, 1970s
Located in Palermo, PA
Italian vintage sofa by 1P, 1970s. Dimensions: H= 80 cm; W= 207 cm; D= 85 cm; H seduta= 40 cm.
Fabric, Wood
$8,998
H 32.29 in W 94.49 in D 31.5 in
Wonderful No. 26 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Rare no.26 by florence knoll in showroom condition. Hardly used only re-upholstered and used one time for a photo shooting and very exclusive model redone with very cosy fabric in wa...
Metal
$8,540
H 24.41 in W 90.56 in D 36.23 in
Cini Boeri - Leather Sofa "Gradual" for Knoll International, 1970s
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Cini Boeri “Gradual” Sofa for Knoll International, Italy, 1972 Rare “Gradual” sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Knoll International in 1972. Upholste...
Leather
$8,400 / set
H 39.38 in W 17.72 in D 19.3 in
Edoardo Landi "540" Dining Chairs for Nikol International, 1973, Set of 4
By Edoardo Landi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Edoardo Landi "540" dining chairs for Nikol International, wood and white fabric, Italy, 1973, set of four Edoardo Landi designed the “540” dining chair in 1973, at a time when Ital...
Fabric, Wood
$30,562
H 24.02 in W 118.12 in D 116.15 in
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
1970s Afra and Tobia Scarpa Soriana Sofa for Cassina, Italy
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 1970s Afra and Tobia Scarpa Soriana Sofa for Cassina, Italy. In a gorgeous burnt orange leather upholstery with a beautiful age commensurate patina throughout. As comfort...
Steel
$28,429Sale 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
"Sesann" Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Cassina
Located in Roma, IT
A vintage sofa from "Sesann" Series, realized by Frattini in 1970. Alcantara upholstery, tubular chromed steel. Cassina label. Inches 23.6 (h) x 66.9 x 35.4 (d). An iconic expres...
Steel
3 seater lounge sofa by E. Cobianchi for Insa, Italy 1970
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
E. Cobianchi leather three-seater sofa, a beautifully sculptural piece that reflects the soft, generous forms typical of Italian design. Upholstered in its original rich cognac-brown...
Leather, Wood
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 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
Superb "Environ One" Sofa by Ennio Chiggio
By Ennio Chiggio
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
This "Environ One" sofa by Ennio Chiggio from 1969 has been totally reupholstered with a Dedar fabric. It is composed by two asymmetric parts. Measures: Main part 286 x 126 x H 60 S...
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
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