Giorgini, Aldo
Dates
- Existence: March 15, 1934 - October 16, 1994
Biographical Information
Aldo Giorgini was born in 1934 in Voghera, Italy. He received extensive formal art training in his formative years, and assisted with the restoration of art damaged in World War II. In addition to his artistic training, he studied engineering at the University of Pavia on the Ghislieri Scholarship. Subsequently, he earned a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino (1959). After earning his PhD, Giorgini was hired as an Associate Professor at Politecnico di Torino, at which time he met his wife Elena who was working on her doctorate of law at the University of Torino.
In 1962, Giorgini went to Colorado State University on a Fulbright Scholarship, where he studied Kraichnan's theory of turbulence. While at Colorado State, he also earned a second PhD in Civil Engineering, and finished coursework for a third doctorate in Physics. From 1966-1967, Giorgini served in a postdoctoral research position at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. After completing his postdoc appointment, Giorgini was hired by Purdue. He moved to West Lafayette, where he began his tenure as a professor in Purdue's Civil Engineering Department. While at Purdue, Giorgini emphasized the importance of finding balance between function and aesthetics. He understood that the study of art and science should not be mutually exclusive. He won several awards for his teaching in fluid mechanics and engineering mathematics.
At Purdue, Giorgini also rediscovered his love for art, and managed to blur the line between engineering and art by pioneering the genre of computer-aided art. His designs are primarily abstract, and were printed on mylar sheets which were then filled in by hand. Giorgini's art has been displayed internationally and is world renowned. Giorgini was also very devoted to his family, and had two sons (Massimiliano and Flaviano) with Elena before she passed away in 1977. Aldo was always supportive of his sons' endeavors, even sriving the tour bus for their punk rock band. Giorgini died October 16, 1994.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Aldo Giorgini papers, addition 01
Aldo Giorgini papers
This collection documents the artistic output of Aldo Giorgini, who was a professor of Civil Engineering at Purdue University from 1968 through the 1990s. The collection includes art prints and their accompanying software documentation, biographical information, writings, clippings, and some photographs. For a more detailed inventory of the collection please contact an archivist.