Gaetano Pesce was of a generation of Italian architects who in the early 1960s rebelled against the industrial perfection of modernism by conceiving new furniture and objects that were at once expressive and eccentric in form; or you might say they were more like art than functionalist design.
Born in the picturesque coastal Italian city of La Spezia in 1939, Pesce was a precocious talent who could have forged a career as an artist but opted instead to go to Venice to study architecture because, as he has said, it was “the most complex of all the arts.” Rather than having new worlds opened to him at design school, however, Pesce found the rationalist curriculum oppressive in its insistence on standardization and prescribed materials and technologies.
Pesce wanted to explore the latest of both materials and technologies to create objects and buildings never before imagined, with what he called “personalities” that spoke to the issues of the day. He was keen to examine ways to diversify mass production so that each manufactured work could be distinct.
In 1964, Pesce met Cesare Cassina, of the forward-looking furniture company C&B Italia in Milan (now known as B&B Italia), for whom he would create many important designs, beginning with a collection of what he called “transformational furniture” — two chairs and a loveseat — made entirely out of high-density polyurethane foam. To make the pieces easy to ship and cost-efficient, he proposed that after being covered in a stretch jersey, they be put in a vacuum, then heat-sealed flat between vinyl sheets. Once the foam was removed from its packaging, the piece returned to its original shape — hence, the name Up for the series, which debuted in 1969.
In addition to these pieces, Pesce proposed for the collection something he referred to as an “anti-armchair,” which took the shape of a reclining fertility goddess, the iconic Donna.
Producing the piece's complex form turned out to be a technical challenge. Bayer, the foam’s manufacturer, deemed it impossible to accomplish. Pesce persisted and came up with a new procedure, demonstrating not only the designer’s key role in researching the nature and potential of new materials but also his vital importance in “doubting rules.” The Up chair and accompanying ottoman were born, and they were revolutionary in more ways than one.
In the early 1970s, Pesce began exploring one of his key concepts, the idea of the industrial originals. Employing a mold without air holes, and adding a blood-red dye to the polyurethane, he cast a bookcase that resembled a demolished wall, the rough edges of the shelves and posts resulting from fissures in the material made by trapped air.
Through his research into polyurethane, Pesce figured out a way to make a loveseat and armchair using only a simple wood frame and strong canvas covering as a mold. Since the fabric developed random folds during the injection process, the pieces were similar but not identical. Cassina named the suite of furnishings Sit Down and introduced it in 1975. By experimenting with felt soaked in polyurethane and resin, Pesce conceived I Feltri, another collection of armchairs introduced by Cassina in 1987.
Pesce went on to live a life that defied expectation and convention and along the way became one of the most seminal figures in art and design.
Find vintage Gaetano Pesce chairs, sofas, vases and more on 1stDibs.
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Pompitu I Vase L Yellow Mauve
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu I Vase - Clear Yellow, Mauve Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Yellow, Mauve Mat...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Medusa L Vase Resin Light Blue Celeste
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Medusa vase, Light Blue, Celeste Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Light Blue, Celeste Material:...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase L Resin Brown Fuchsia Pink Yellow
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra colour vase - Clear brown, fuchsia, pink and matt yellow. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Pompitu I Vase L Light Ruby Fuchsia
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu I Vase - Clear Light Ruby And Matt Fuchsia Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - Ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Lig...
Resin
$679 / item
Gaetano Pesce Ogiva Vase L Brown Turquoise
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Ogiva basket - Clear, Brown, Turquoise Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Clear Brown, turquoise Dimensions: ø 50cm x H 35cm...
Resin
Flower Vase L - Fish Design by Gaetano Pesce Resin Pink, Clear Lilac, Apple
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Flower Vase - Pink, Clear Lilac, Apple Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design 1995 collection. Measures: L - c.a ø 22 x h36cm Colours: Pink, Clear Lilac, Apple...
Resin
Spaghetti Special Vase (Large), Clear Blue and Matte Lime by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
"Spaghetti" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. colour: Clear Blue and Matte Lime. *All the pieces are handmade therefore unique and th...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase M Resin Green Gold
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, green and gold. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: green and gold. Material: RESI...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti Special Vase L Resin Red Blue
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti Special Vase - Clear aqua and coral red Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear aqua,...
Resin
Contemporary Moss Vase Fish Design by Gaetano Pesce Resin Apple Green Gold
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Moss Vase - Apple Green, Gold Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design 1995 collection. Measures: L - ø 26cm x H 38cm Colours: Apple Green, Gold Material: RESIN ...
Resin
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Big Collina Vase L Clear Aqua, Grey, Pastel Pink
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Big Collina Vase Extra Colour - Clear Aqua, Grey, Pastel Pink Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design 1995 collection. Measures: L - ø 40cm x H 24cm Colours: Cl...
Resin
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Big Collina Vase L Dark Ruby, Aqua, Emerald, Mauve
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Big Collina Vase Extra Colour - Clear Dark Ruby, Aqua, Emerald, Mauve Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design 1995 collection. Measures: L - ø 40cm x H 24cm Col...
Resin
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Big Collina Vase L - Pink Red Ocean
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Big Collina Vase Extra Colour - Clear Antique Pink, Clear Red And Matt Ocean Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design 1995 collection. Measures: L - ø 40cm x H 2...
Resin
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Big Collina Vase M Clear Lilac Terracotta Mint
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Big Collina Vase Extra Colour - Clear Lilac, Terracotta, Mint Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design 1995 collection. Measures: M - ø 30cm x H 20cm Colours: Cl...
Resin
Meritalia SENZAFINE Square Basket, Medium / Green by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Toronto, ON
Tangled polyurethane is used in Edizioni del Pesce to create a series of vases with various shapes: Senzafine by Gaetano Pesce. This intrinsic variety infuses each piece with its own...
Plastic
Contemporary Gaetano Pesce Clear Special Vase M Resin Yellow, Lime, Turquoise
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Clear special extra colour vase - Clear yellow, matt lime, matt turquoise. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M - ø 16cm x H...
Resin
Twins C Vase (Large), Clear Aqua and Lilac by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
"Twins C" Large Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Aqua and Lilac. *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. V...
Resin
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Square Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Senzafine series by Gaetano Pesce is composed by lively vases available in oval, square or round shapes. These very particular objects are formed by the continuous extrusion of a...
Resin
Amazonia Vase (Large), Matte Navy, Red and Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Amazonia" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Matte Navy, Red and Yellow. *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Va...
Resin
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Red and Matte Aqua by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large Indian Summer Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Red and Matte Aqua *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore un...
Resin
Unique Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design “Tutti Frutti” Large Resin Bowl, 1990s
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Dronten, NL
Few designers blur the line between art, architecture, and irreverent joy like Gaetano Pesce. This large “Tutti Frutti” bowl—executed in his signature spaghetti technique—is a vibran...
Resin
Clear Special Extracolor Large Red Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Milan, IT
A strikingly singular addition to a personal art collection, this gorgeous vase is a veritable work of art of bold visual impact. Entirely crafted of soft resin, it boasts a magnific...
Resin
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Big Surprise 2 Small Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Big Surprise is a vase by Gaetano Pesce that can present various color combinations, always exalting the suggestive transparency of resin. This material makes it possible to create B...
Resin
Contemporary Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Spaghetti L Vase Soft Resin Blue Lime
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Spaghetti special vase, clear blue and matt lime. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear Blue...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase M Resin Blue Acid Green
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, blue, acid green. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: M ø 16cm x H 26cm Colours: Blue, acid green. Material: ...
Resin
Flower Vase (Large), Yellow, Bottle Green and Fuchsia by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Flower" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Yellow, Bottle Green and Fuschia *All the pieces are handmade therefore uniq...
Resin
20th Century, Gaetano Pesce Resin Vase mod. Lava
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Gaetano Pesce's works are generally eccentric, modern and carry a concept of "happening," which is the transformation of the object. Experimenter of different forms and materials, hi...
Resin
Nugget Vase Extra Colour (XL), Clear Aqua, Matte Ochre, Matte Fuschia
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Extra Large "Nugget" Vase in soft resin, designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Aqua, Matte Ochre, Matte Fuschia *All the pieces are hand-made ...
Resin
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Flower Vase Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With Flower Vase by Gaetano Pesce, transparent resin is mixed with colored resin, creating shiny and delicate petals. Available in “small” and “large” sizes, this vase enters Edizion...
Resin
Meritalia SENZAFINE Round Basket, Large / Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Tangled polyurethane is used in Edizioni del Pesce to create a series of vases with various shapes: Senzafine by Gaetano Pesce. This intrinsic variety infuses each piece with its own...
Plastic
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Oval Vase in Blue by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Senzafine series by Gaetano Pesce is composed by lively vases available in oval, square or round shapes. These very particular objects are formed by the continuous extrusion of a...
Resin
Bowl Tutti Frutti, by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, #72
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Delft, NL
Bowl Tutti Frutti, by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design Large synthetic resin bowl, model Tutti Frutti, by Gaetano Pesce (1939-) for Fish design, 1990s This bowl in the spaghetti techni...
Resin
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Round Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Senzafine series by Gaetano Pesce is composed by lively vases available in oval, square or round shapes. These very particular objects are formed by the continuous extrusion of a...
Resin
Twins C Vase (Large), Matte Pastel Pink and Coral Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large 'Twins C' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Matte Pastel Pink and Coral Red. *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Tutti Frutti II Basket XXL Resin Fluo Yellow
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in barasso, IT
Tutti frutti II basket - matt fluo yellow Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: Matt fluo yellow Dimensions: ø 60-70cm x H 32cm...
Resin
$363Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase L Resin Blue Acid Green
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, blue, acid green. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Blue, acid green. Material: ...
Resin
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Oval Vase in Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Senzafine series by Gaetano Pesce is composed by lively vases available in oval, square or round shapes. These very particular objects are formed by the continuous extrusion of a...
Resin
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Flower Vase Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With Flower Vase by Gaetano Pesce, transparent resin is mixed with colored resin, creating shiny and delicate petals. Available in “small” and “large” sizes, this vase enters Edizion...
Resin
'Special Colour' Vase, Large / Emerald, Clear Ruby & Salmon by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large Clear Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. 'Special Colour', Emerald, Clear Ruby & Matte Salmon. *Due to the handmade nature of th...
Resin
Meritalia Big Surprise 1 / Purple, Pink and Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Meritalia Candelabre / Black by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizion...
Steel
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Big Surprise 2 Large Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Big Surprise is a vase by Gaetano Pesce that can present various color combinations, always exalting the suggestive transparency of resin. This material makes it possible to create B...
Resin
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Round Medium Vase by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Senzafine series by Gaetano Pesce is composed by lively vases available in oval, square or round shapes. These very particular objects are formed by the continuous extrusion of a...
Resin
Meritalia Edizioni del Pesce Senzafine Oval Vase in Green by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Senzafine series by Gaetano Pesce is composed by lively vases available in oval, square or round shapes. These very particular objects are formed by the continuous extrusion of a...
Resin
Gaetano Pesce Tutti Frutti I Special XL Resin Basket Ochre Fuchsia
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Tutti frutti I special basket - ochre, fuchsia Basket in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: ochre, fuchsia Dimensions: ø 50cm x H 28cm...
Resin
Meritalia SENZAFINE Square Basket, Large / Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Toronto, ON
Tangled polyurethane is used in Edizioni del Pesce to create a series of vases with various shapes: Senzafine by Gaetano Pesce. This intrinsic variety infuses each piece with its own...
Plastic
Gaetano Pesce Pompitu II Vase L Resin Blue Brown Bronze
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Pompitu II vase, clear blue, brown and matt bronze Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Measures: L - ø 22cm x H 36cm Colours: Clear blue...
Resin
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Big Collina Vase M Resin Yellow Lime Turquoise
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Big Collina Vase Extra Colour - clear yellow, matt lime, matt turquoise. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: clear yellow, mat...
Resin
Meritalia SENZAFINE Round Basket, Medium / Black by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Tangled polyurethane is used in Edizioni del Pesce to create a series of vases with various shapes: Senzafine by Gaetano Pesce. This intrinsic variety infuses each piece with its own...
Plastic
Fish Design Gaetano Pesce Big Collina Vase L Resin Yellow Lime Turquoise
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in barasso, IT
Big Collina Vase Extra Colour - clear yellow, matt lime, matt turquoise. Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colours: clear yellow, mat...
Resin
Meritalia Candelabre / Green by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia, Fish Design
Located in Toronto, ON
"The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizio...
Metal
Meritalia Half Ball, Small / Green, Light Blue and Pink by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Meritalia Papavero Vase / Black and Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Senzafine Square Medium bowl by designed Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Italy 2000
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Milano, IT
Senzafine Square Medium bowl, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Italy, 2000. Immerse yourself in the groundbreaking world of Gaetano Pesce with the exquisite "Senzafine" bowl...
Plastic
Meritalia Big Surprise 1, Small / Green and Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Meritalia Big Surprise 1, Small / Red and Orange by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Meritalia Candelabre / Blue by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
"The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizio...
Steel
Meritalia Big Surprise 1, Large/ Blue, Green and Clear by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Meritalia Candelabre / Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
"The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizio...
Steel
Round Decorative Contemporary Italian Bowl in Purple Resin by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and large sculptural contemporary "Ogiva Basket" decorative bowl in purple and gold resin by Gaetano Pesce and produced by Fish Design in Italy, 2022. In good original condit...
Resin