Embracing the Concepts of Memory and Forgetting through Poetical Thought in Italian Design

Abstract

This paper concerns the Italian art of memory since the 18th century with special reference to design and architecture. The philosopher Giambattista Vico and the architect and designer Aldo Rossi provide the theoretical backbone of the analyses together with interviews with Italian designers and design theorists such as Paolo Portoghesi, Alessandro Mendini, Gianni Braghieri, Alba Cappellieri and Giampaolo Babetto. The question of how the concepts of memory and forgetting can be enfolded by poetical thought in design is addressed, and design examples by Alessi and Babetto are introduced in this context. Both Alessi and Babetto see poetry and memory as very important components in the design process, providing their products with value and aim.