“I think it is very difficult to design a ‘beautiful table’; it doesn’t depend only on the design of the implements used onit, but on a subtle, frail, uncertain wisdom with which, sometimes, a few people succeed in steering into the projectthe total perception of our cosmic adventure.”

Ettore Sottsass

The project stems from the intention to combine Ettore Sottsass’s designs for Alessi with the experience of conviviality. La Bella Tavola is therefore not only the name of the relaunched collection, but also an expression of a collective experience of interaction between people, objects, and food. The table is thus understood as a place of everyday ritual, marked by shared gestures that restore the central value of experience. The focal point of the installation is a large circular table that welcomes participation, within a scenic structure where iconic elements transform into narrative presences, creating an immersive and convivial environment.

The installation presents La Bella Tavola and My Beautiful China collections, designed by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi in 1993 and now reintroduced by the company, in dialogue with other iconic projects by the designer included in the exhibition path, such as the Twergi line objects, the 5070 condiment set, and the Nuovo Milano cutlery. Born as a “total table” project, the service interprets a new idea of classicism, characterized by balance, essentiality, and timeless elegance. The two versions, white and decorated, allow for a free and personal composition of the table, enhancing the relationship between objects and everyday gestures.A project that invites the rediscovery of a classic by Ettore Sottsass and his ability to remain contemporary across decades.