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” 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
$27,062 / 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
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
$23,532 / 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
$10,589 / 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
$11,766 / set
H 27.56 in W 35.44 in D 82.68 in
Rolf Benz Vintage Oxred Leather Living room Sofa Ensemble, Germany, 1970
By Rolf Benz
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This stunning leather Living suite room sofa ensemble was produced by Rolf Benz an manufactured in Germany. It is a pure 70ties design with timele...
Leather, Upholstery, Plastic, Wood, Beech
$4,118 / set
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 Poltronova, Sergio Asti
Located in taranto, IT
Designed by Sergio Asti and produced by Poltronova in 1962, the "Zelda" living room set—comprising a three-seater sofa and a pair of armchairs—is one of the finest expressions of Ita...
Leather, Wood
$8,942
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
Burkhard Vogtherr for Rosenthal 'Vario Pillo' Modular Sofa
By Albert Rosenthal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Burkhard Vogtherr for Rosenthal, model 'Vario Pillo', modular sofa, Germany, 1970s This exuberant buildable sofa is designed by Burkhard Vogtherr. A very rare type of modular sofa w...
Fabric, Plastic
$3,400 / set
H 39.38 in W 17.72 in D 19.3 in
Edoardo Landi "540" Dining Chairs for Nikol International, 1973, Set of 2
By Edoardo Landi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Edoardo Landi "540" dining chairs for Nikol International, black wood and white fabric, Italy, 1973, set of two Edoardo Landi designed the “540” dining chairs in 1973, at a time whe...
Fabric, Wood
$6,000
H 22.84 in W 64.97 in D 33.86 in
Confidential Sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti, Italy, 1970s
By Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
Located in Brussels, BE
Confidential Sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti, Italy,1970s - New Beige Upholstery
Fabric
$1,398
H 30.71 in W 90.56 in D 39.38 in
Living room sofa and pair of vintage 1970s armchairs in Italian design fabric
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Living room consisting of pair of armchairs and sofa bed, in gray-brown fabric, 1970s, Italian design. CONDITION: In very good condition, may show slight signs of wear given by time...
Metal
Modular Sofa and Ottomans for Cassina
By Cassina
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Fully upholstered modular seating system with slab sides, tight seats, and ‘saddle bag’ style back and end cushions. Labeled Cassina under the seats on its metal frame as well as lab...
Metal
$24,950 / set
H 29 in W 66 in D 36 in
1970s Mario Bellini Le Bambole Two-Seat Sofas, a Pair From B&B Italia
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Raleigh, NC
Pair of 1970s Mario Bellini Le Bambole Sofas, B&B Italia An icon newly restored. This pair feature Pollack Textiles "Modern Dance" Upholstery(black on light khaki). 66" long, 36" ...
Upholstery
Vintage two seater sofa by Karl Wittmann, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
very cool seventies sofa with a very period correct motive. Cool vintage sofaby Karl Wittmann and made in Austria 1980s - Italy Labelled. Dimensions: Height: 72cm Width: 160cm De...
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 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