Il Design come estetica sociale: Munari, Mari e oltre

This social-aesthetics course explores the work of Bruno Munari and Enzo Mari, two leading figures of twentieth-century Italian design. We will compare their distinct conceptions of design: Mari treats design as an ethical-political practice, critically interrogating modes of production and consumption; Munari approaches design as an activity that weaves together art, technology and education. Through close analysis of iconic projects, we will map their respective design processes, conceptions of art and design, ethical stances on manufacture, and concerns with environmental sustainability, responsible supply chains and social inclusion. The course will also address their shared effort to blur the traditional boundary between “fine art” and design: both authors regard art as an integral component of design work. These discussions are set against broader philosophical and anthropological reflections on human praxis and the social role of design, linking Mari’s and Munari’s thought to contemporary design theory and to classic and modern voices such as Rousseau, Marx, Sloterdijk, Ingold and Latour. From this historical-critical core, we will move outward to consider the socio-political possibilities of present-day design and to ask how design practice might - both concretely and symbolically - transform the ways we live together.

The course develops a critical examination of the relationship between art and design, dismantling the romantic image of the lone “genius-artist” and replacing it with a practitioner who conceives and creates within and for everyday life. It also highlights the contemporary relevance of ideas put forward by Mari, Munari and designers such as Sottsass concerning quality, durability and ethics in design, especially as these ideas inform sustainable, ecologically aware and socially-politically engaged design practices.

In presenza

On-site lectures are interwoven with discussion and Q&A sessions that form an essential component of the learning experience. After each class, highly detailed English slide decks are uploaded and serve as the course’s official reader.

The examination comprises a written paper (no fewer than 3,000 and no more than 7,000 words) followed by an oral interview. The essay must present a socio-aesthetic analysis of either a specific work or a theoretical theme associated with one of the designers, and the topic has to be agreed in advance with both the lecturer and the teaching assistant. The paper may be written in Italian, English, French or German.