A series of design classics by Gio Ponti were destroyed and reassembled into new pieces by designer Martino Gamper in front of a live audience at the Design Miami/Basel collectors' fair in June.

The performance (above) was called 'If Only Gio Knew...'

Gamper has sent us images of the resulting pieces, all made from original Ponti furniture salvaged from the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Sorrento, Italy (see further down this story for images of the virgin Ponti furniture).

Gamper has also posted a video of the performance on YouTube.

The pieces will be exhibited in an exhibition called 'Gio Ponti Translated by Martino' at Nilufar Gallery, Milan, starting on October 23.

Here is Gamper's explanation of the project:

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In this performance Martino continues his interest in re-appropriating used furniture, in this case furniture designed by Gio Ponti for the Hotel Parco dei Principi, Sorrento.

This is the first time he uses such iconic and classic design pieces. With his transformative powers and the ability to improvise Martino seeks to extend the live of a classic piece of design beyond it’s museum like existence.

The outcome is always unknown, the process is spontaneous and freewheeling and the result is a variety of objects, each with its own attitude, some functional some pathetic, and some even beautiful. Even the most abject of the remade pieces will have an euphoria inspired by the escape of destiny.

Gio Ponti furniture Courtesy by Nilufar Gallery, Milano.

Above and below: some of the original Ponti pieces

Below: Martino Gamper