Brazilian Modernity Collectible Now
5 Jul – 18 Sep 2023
Collectible Now: Brazilian Modernity delves into the distinctive style of Brazilian design, past and present. This selection highlights the essence of Brazilian modernism, which emerged as a significant movement in the 20th century, reflecting the country’s unique cultural and socio-political context. At the core of Brazilian modernism lies a fervent exploration of functionality, and an inclination towards minimalism, inspired by the rich natural surroundings of Brazil. Embracing organic shapes and using natural materials, the work establishes a visual dialogue with nature and blurs the boundaries between the man-made and the organic. Works by Brazilian designers Zanine Caldas, Joaquim Tenreiro, Carlo Hauner, and Martin Eisler are among the designers whose works illustrate these principles. Their designs paved the way for contemporaries and informed the evolution of Brazilian design over time, as presented in dialogue, the celebrated Campana Brothers, whose works are also featured.
Exhibition views
Artists
José Zanine Caldas
José Zanine Caldas (1919-2001) was a self-taught artist, designer and architect from Belmonte, Brazil.
For over 10 years he ran a workshop specialising in architectural scale models, where he developed over 500 models for top Brazilian architects including Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio Costa. In 1949, Caldas created the Fábrica Moveis Artísticos Z to produce standardised plywood furniture for a wider public.
Joaquim Tenreiro
Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) is often referred to as the father of Brazilian modernism. The furniture designer was born in Portugal and moved to Rio de Janeiro in the late 1920s. In 1941, he received a commission to create furniture for a home designed by Oscar Niemeyer for the writer Francisco Inácio Peixoto. He designed modern furniture that fit the Brazilian style of life, often using native woods. He continued designing furniture until the late 1960s, when he then devoted himself to painting and sculpture.
