“Every word, every object is what it is, and many things besides. When Baj’s interest turned to furniture-pieces, he at once noticed-faithful to his metaphoric method-their disturbing character: without ceasing to be furniture, each piece was a fantastic animal. Our homes are peopled by a fauna that is grotesque and menacing by turns. But one day, whilst he was scrutinizing these creatures, they changed back into furniture pieces before his eyes.”

Octavio Paz in “The furniture pieces of Enrico Baj” (1961), catalog essay for Baj: ebanisterie e mobili at Galleria Schwarz (Milan)12/2/62-1/12/62