Cronache minori dalla periferia del design

"Memories and recollections, such as those delightfully brought together here by Adele Cassina, are what we need to give us an idea of what that moment was like, almost seventy years ago, when, after the end of a world war, it was possible for a group of visionaries to imagine and create the future. At the centre of these memories is the story of a man and father, Cesare Cassina, who as a 'quiet' local craftsman and entrepreneur was able to read and interpret the energies that were changing the world". - from the preface by Giampiero Bosoni

Halfway between a family memoir and a slice of design history, Cronache minori dalla periferia del design traces the personal and entrepreneurial history of Cesare Cassina through the eyes of his daughter, Adele Cassina.

What were the insights that drove the transformation of a small Brianza-based company, founded by two furniture making brothers, into a company synonymous with Italian design throughout the world? And what might those years have been like for those who lived through them? Starting from her teenage years, Adele invites us into a rare behind-the-scenes look at the events and milestones that marked the growth of the family business, mingling with her memories of life and travels in Germany, Lebanon, Italy, and the United States.

From her unique vantage point, we also learn about the dynamics involved in bringing together the many creative minds that crossed Cesare's path - architects and designers such as Gio Ponti, Carlo Scarpa, Vico Magistretti, Dino Gavina and many others - to create a way of doing industrial design that simply did not exist before.

The tale, rich in archive images, is accompanied by comments by Chiara Rodriquez, daughter of Adele and Rodrigo Rodriquez, who was also a fundamental part of the Cassina universe for a long time: Chiara's voice also narrates Adele's personal adventure in the world of design, Adele-C.

This volume was selected by the ADI Permanent Design Observatory as an example of the best Italian design put into production.