For over 50 years Massimo and Lella Vignelli have achieved renown as two of the most innovative minds in the design community.  Their work includes interiors, furniture, and consumer product designs including the iconic 1966 New York City subway map. Boston's 4th-annual Art & Design of the 20th & 21st Centuries (AD20/21) show, April 7-10, will honor the couple with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Last year's award recipient was Dakota Jackson.

The Vignellis made their first mark on the design world with the establishment of the Vignelli Office of Design and Architecture in Milan in 1960.  In 1971, the couple established Vignelli Associates and seven years later Vignelli Designs, a company dedicated to product and furniture designs.  Both have contributed works to the permanent collections of major art and design institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum among others.

Highlights from their careers include the 1983 AIGA Gold Medal and their induction to the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1988.  Additionally, Lella holds Honorary Doctorates form the Parsons School of Design while Massimo was awarded the first-ever Presidential Design Award, presented by President Ronald Regan in 1985.

As part of the show, the Vignellis will present a talk entitled "Design Is One", tracing the pivotal stages of their careers on Friday evening, April 8 at 6:00 p.m.

AD 20/21 features both fine art and 20th and 21st century works in all disciplines, representing movements such as Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modern. The show also includes 21st century-studio furniture, glass, ceramics, decorative arts, jewelry, and more.