Sunday, September 13, 2009

FRATERNAL GENIUS



























































Several years ago I attended a book signing in the Miami Design District for Brazilian architect Arthur Casas. I was not familiar with his work or style but simply went with friends for the festivities. Low and behold I came to soon realize the creative genius behind his work. The book by the way is entitled Sao Paulo and the Architecture of Arthur Casas - I highly recommend it. I believe he has a 2nd edition out now as well. In the book one of the projects profiled is Hotel Emiliano in Sao Paulo. There is picture of the Vermelha rope chair designed by Brazilian brothers Humberto & Fernando Campana. This was the first time I came across one of the Campana designs, which at the expense of being a bit long winded is the subject of todays post.

In the 1980's this fraternal duo teamed up to develop furniture using in part common waste products - aluminum wire, rope, fabric, cardboard and wood scraps. Their artistic originality received much critical acclaim. By the late 90's they had received further attention as being the first Brazilian designers to showcase their work at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. The brothers' designs certainly give new meaning to the fusion of form & materials. Much of their designs today are produced by the Italian company edra http://www.edra.com/.

images: (click on images to enlarge)
Vermelha rope chair for edra
Bolas children's chair c2002 (red)
Favela chair for edra (wood)
Discos chair c1992
Papel cardboard sofa for edra c2001-2003

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