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Enzo Mari
Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist with Francesca Giacomelli.
This major exhibition celebrates the life and work of one of the greatest Italian designers of the 20th century, Enzo Mari, whose designs have inspired generations of creatives around the world.
What to expect
Not only one of the 20th century’s most significant designers, Mari was also an artist, teacher, theorist, and more. During his prolific career, he created countless enduring and timeless designs, filling the homes and streets of the Milanese and beyond. An outspoken critic of the design industry, his uncompromising belief in the social responsibility of design resonates powerfully today, as we face ecological and ethical issues with ever greater urgency.
This unmissable retrospective which was produced and presented by Triennale Milano in 2020, spans Mari’s 60-year career and brings together hundreds of his projects, ranging from furniture, children’s books and games, product and graphic design, to more conceptual installation-based works. Archival material provides greater insight into Mari’s research process, and the key principles that guided and unified his work.
Alongside this exhibition, the museum is showcasing a related free display featuring a number of commissioned tributes from contemporary London based designers in celebration of Mari's extraordinary life and legacy, on display at the first floor's balcony.
Share your favourite designs with us @designmuseum using #DesignMuseum #EnzoMariExhibition and #EnzoMariBalcony
From the press
★★★★★ The Telegraph
★★★★ The Guardian
Enzo Mari Exhibition Photos by Eva Herzog
Close up of 'The Nature Series' screen prints and Formosa Calendar
Close up of '16 Animals' puzzle, 1957, Danese Milano
Close up of the installation 'Lo zoo di Enzo' by Nanda Vigo
Book online
Ticket Information
Adult tickets from £16.33
Children aged 6 to 15 from £8.16
Under 6s go free
Concession/Student tickets from £12.24
• Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Visit our terms & conditions page for further information.
• Please note that the gallery starts closing 30 minutes before the museum closes. For opening hours and further information, please check our Plan your visit page.
Please note that the museum accepts digital/card payments only, including ticket desk, shops and cafes.
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MEMBERS GO FREE
Members gain free access to the exhibition including a guest and up to three children, enjoy members-only previews, special discounts to events and more. Gift Membership and Student Membership are available from £45.
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LARGE PRINT GUIDE
During your visit, ask a member of staff for a printed copy of a Large Print Guide or download the digital version from our Access Information page on your phone.
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Please note that the Exhibition will be open until 20:00 on the following dates:
• Friday 5 July
• Saturday 6 July
• Friday 12 July
• Friday 19 July
• Friday 26 July
• Friday 30 August
• Friday 6 September
Please note that the Design Cafe will remain open late on the dates above, with the last orders at 19:30.
Discover more
10 Unmissable Highlights
From Mari’s early industrial designs to children’s games, discover 10 curators' highlights from the #EnzoMariExhibition featuring more than 300 objects.
Discover The Fable Family Trail
Explore the exhibition with The Fable Family Trail featuring activities for children and young people. You can download below to use it on your phone or print before your visit. Print copies might be available on the day, please ask a member of staff.
Visit 'Grazie Enzo: Contemporary Responses to Enzo Mari'
Accompanying the retrospective exhibition 'Enzo Mari Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist with Francesca Giacomelli', this free display will showcase the work of 14 London-based designers, studios and collectives whose practices share an affinity with Enzo Mari's.
Watch: Who was Enzo Mari?
In this short video, learn more about Mari's prolific career and his enduring and timeless designs.
Exhibition Catalogue
Explore 60 years of Mari's work through plans, sketches, unpublished archive material, essays and interviews that trace, for the first time, a systematic itinerary – articulated into 19 “research platforms” – that conveys Mari’s sensitivity as a designer, artist, critic and theoretician.
Related events
Enzo Mari Audio Described Sensory Tour
Join us for an audio-described sensory tour of highlights of the exhibition 'Enzo Mari curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist with Francesca Giacomelli', for blind and visually impaired visitors and their companions.
Plan your visit
Background image: Enzo Mari exhibition photographed by Eva Herzog for the Design Museum.