New Archeology? Ettore Sottsass reloaded

The Italian Cultural Institute in Cologne is participating in the 35th Passagen Interior Design Week, which takes place in Cologne from January 10th to 16th, 2025. As part of the event, it will present the photo exhibition “New Archaeology? Ettore Sottsass Reloaded” by Jessica Soffiati, curated by Federica Sala. This exhibition will be on display at the Institute from January 11th to May 9th, 2025. In addition, guided tours will be offered of the room designed by Ettore Sottsass, discovered during renovations, located at the Wempe jewelry store in Cologne.

Photographed by Jessica Soffiati

Jessica Soffiati's photographs show the largely preserved original design of Ettore Sottsass Jr. ...for the Esprit flagship store in Cologne from 1986 at Hof 2, corner of Hohe Straße. During renovations for the new Wempe jewelry and watch store, this architecture was rediscovered and partially restored and reinterpreted by Anna Nicolas, resulting in a contemporary hybrid. The exhibition, curated by Federica Sala and organized by the Italian Cultural Institute Cologne in collaboration with the Italian Consulate General in Cologne and Wempe Jewelers, allows visitors to discover this hidden treasure.

About the curators and organizers

Federica Sala is an independent curator and design consultant. She worked in the design department of the Centre Pompidou She works with brands such as Fabrica, miart, 5VIE Art+Design, Airbnb, Vogue Italia, Cassina, Buccellati, and Dolce&Gabbana. She curates exhibitions for the Milan Triennale and the ADI Design Museum. As an art consultant, she works for the hotel industry (Six Senses Roma) and with Rizzoli International (Gianluca Pacchioni, Minimal Baroque, 2021; Venini, La Magia del Vetro, 2023; Echoes, Cassina, 2023; Gregory Gatserelia, The Art of Interiors, 2024). Since 2021, she has been an Italian design ambassador for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and since July 2022, editor-in-chief of The Good Life Italia, a business and lifestyle magazine.

Guided tours on site

During the Passagen Interior Design Week 2025, which will take place from January 10th to 16th, 2025, in addition to the photo exhibition, guided tours are planned at Wempe in the premises „Am Hof 2“ in Cologne city centre near Cologne Cathedral, in the former confectionery shop of the Stollwerck chocolate factory, in Italian and English.

Photo: Jessica Soffiati / Image source: Italian Cultural Institute Cologne