B&B Italia Serie Up 2000
By Gaetano Pesce
The configuration of this armchair has anatomical characteristics and unmistakable anthropomorphous references. The chair is a metaphor of a large comfortable womb and recalls ancient statues of fertility goddesses. However, it has something extra: a spherical ottoman tied to the armchair. Therefore, the image of comfort and convenience is combined with a more figurative image of a woman with a ball and chain on her foot. Gaetano Pesce explains the project as follows: "At that time, I was telling a personal story about my concept of women: I believe that women have always been unwilling prisoners of themselves. This is why I decided to give this armchair the shape of a woman with a ball and chain, a traditional image of a prisoner."
Over the years, the UP5_6 armchair has become an international icon with different names, from "Big Mama" to "Blow Up". It is still a very popular item.