MARIO MARENCO
Mario Marenco, (born Sept. 9, 1933, Foggia - died March 17, 2019, Rome)
Mario Marenco was a multifaceted figure on the Italian cultural scene, best known for his career in comedy and radio. However, beyond his humorous streak, Marenco had an important career as an architect and designer, a field in which he showed great creativity and originality. Marenco graduated with a degree in architecture from the University of Naples, then furthered his education in Stockholm at the Scandinavian School of Design, an experience that profoundly influenced his approach to design. He later worked at several architecture and design firms, gaining extensive experience in the field of design.
In 1960, he founded his own design studio, Studio DEGW, in Rome. This studio soon became a landmark in the field, thanks to Marenco's ability to combine functionality and aesthetics in innovative ways. His best-known projects included furniture and fittings for public and private spaces, where his attention to detail and sensitivity to materials and forms stood out for their originality and modernity.
His work as a designer was always marked by a playful and ironic approach, qualities that we also find in his design creations. Marenco was able to infuse his works with a sense of lightness and surprise, elements that made him a highly regarded and respected designer among his colleagues and the public.
Marenco designed for a range of firms, including Arflex, Artemide, Mobil Girgi and Bernini. One of his most recognised designs in the 1970's was the Marenco armchair and sofa collection for Arflex, which were released as a new version in 2018 by Arflex and the 'Sapporo' Dining Chairs and Dining table for Mobil Girgi. In 1982, he worked on commercial designs creating display stands for Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo, followed by producing watches for Fiat and Ferrari.
Despite his success as a designer, Marenco never completely abandoned the world of entertainment, which saw him star in radio and television programs such as “Alto Gradimento” and “Quelli della notte.” However, it was in architecture and design that Marenco left a profound mark, testifying to how his creativity could express itself powerfully in different but complementary fields. His contribution to Italian design was significant and enduring, influencing generations of architects and designers. Mario Marenco remains a unique figure, capable of bringing together the soul of the artist, the architect and the comedian, leaving a cultural and creative legacy that continues to be appreciated and studied.
