The other sides of the artist
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- LINA BO BARDILina Bo Bardi, a visionary architect, rose to prominence during her remarkable journey. Despite being among the few women of her time, she defied societal expectations and successfully completed her studies in graphics and drawing at the Artistic Lyceum. Her unwavering determination led her to obtain a degree in architecture from the University of Rome in 1940. However, faced with challenges due to her affiliation with the Italian Communist Party, Bo Bardi and her husband, Pietro Maria Bardi, chose to embark on a new chapter in their lives by relocating to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—a place that would later captivate their hearts. Settling in Brazil, Bo Bardi and her husband embraced a fresh sense of purpose. Bo Bardi passionately pursued the design of private and public structures while collaborating with her husband to establish the influential architecture magazine, ‘Habitat.’ This publication embodied her vision of creating homes and interiors that fostered human potential and well-being. Encountering setbacks in finding a suitable factory to bring their furniture designs to life, Bo Bardi and her husband took matters into their own hands in 1948. They co-founded the ‘Studio de Arte Palma’ alongside Giancarlo Palanti, establishing the ‘Pau Brasil’ factory. In this venture,…
- JOAQUIM TENREIROJoaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) emerged as a prominent figure in the field of furniture design, showcasing his immense talent and skills within a family deeply rooted in the rich tradition of furniture-making. Born in Portugal and later relocating to Brazil in 1928 at the age of 22, Tenreiro embarked on a remarkable career starting his work on Laubisch & Hirth. These establishments primarily catered to affluent Brazilian families seeking furniture that adhered to conservative designs, heavily influenced by traditional European styles. However, Tenreiro’s vast experience in arts, crafts, and furniture design naturally deviated from these bourgeois expectations. Consciously reacting against what he perceived as the provincialism inherent in a colonized society, Tenreiro proposed a contemporary design language that aimed to redefine Brazilian furniture. He ardently advocated for furniture that exhibited a “formally light” aesthetic, characterized not by physical weight but by an elegance and functionality that transcended mere materiality. In the early 1940s, Tenreiro took a significant step forward by establishing his own furniture studio, Langenbach & Tenreiro Ltda, which marked the turning point in his career, garnering increased recognition for his visionary work. However, it was during the 1950s that Tenreiro truly emerged as a master furniture designer in Brazil,…
- GERALDO DE BARROSGeraldo de Barros (1923-1998), a multifaceted artist hailing from Brazil, embodied a diverse range of creative disciplines, including painting, photography, furniture design, and plastic art. His expansive repertoire also extended to engravings and industrial design. Notably, he played a pivotal role as one of the founding members of Grupo 15, a pioneering studio established in the heart of São Paulo in 1947. Additionally, his involvement in the establishment of Grupo Ruptura marked a significant milestone in the advent of concrete art in Brazil. In 1954, de Barros furthered his innovative impact on Brazilian design by founding the Unilabor Furniture Cooperative, an endeavor that not only revolutionized design practices but also promoted a participatory approach among employees. This unique cooperative structure empowered workers by granting them a stake in the company’s profits and decision-making processes. With a remarkable departure from the established norms of classic, colonial, and art deco furniture, de Barros redefined the trajectory of design in Brazil. By skillfully employing materials such as iron, wood, and Formica, he introduced straight, clean lines and impeccable finishes, effectively shattering prevailing paradigms. In 1964, de Barros’s visionary spirit propelled him to establish Hobjeto, a furniture factory characterized by a personalized sales system…
- CARLO HAUNER & MARTIN EISLERMartin Eisler (1913-1977), an architect by profession, was born in Austria and obtained his architecture degree in 1936. Due to the upheaval of the Second World War, Eisler was compelled to relocate, first to Czechoslovakia and then, in 1938, to Argentina. It was in Argentina where he established himself as an architect and interior designer, founding his own interior design firm, later known as Interieur Forma. However, drawn by new opportunities, Eisler made a significant decision in the early 1950s, opting to embark on a new chapter in Brazil. Carlo Hauner (1927-1996), hailing from Italy, received his education in technical drawing and drawing at the prestigious Brera Academy in Milan. Following his successful participation in the Venice Biennale in 1948, Hauner sought fresh horizons and eventually found himself in Brazil. There, he dedicated his talents to the diverse realms of textile design, ceramics, furniture, and architecture. With remarkable acumen, Hauner swiftly established a furniture production company, acquiring a factory from Lina Bo Bardi and Pietro Bardi, which he renamed Móveis Artesanal. In 1953, fate brought Hauner together with Martin Eisler. Eisler, in need of assistance in producing furniture for his brother-in-law Ernesto Wolf’s residence, reached out to Hauner, marking the…
- WILLY GUHL FOR ETERNITWilly Guhl (1915-2004), a Swiss artist, was deeply influenced by his father, who worked as a carpenter. Guhl’s passion for craftsmanship led him to pursue studies at the Zurich School of Applied Arts, where he honed his skills and developed a profound understanding of design principles. In 1939, he established his own workshop, embarking on a personal journey of creative exploration. Not content with keeping his knowledge to himself, Guhl felt a strong desire to share his expertise with others. In 1941, he began teaching at the School of Applied Arts, where he imparted his wisdom to aspiring artists and designers. Recognizing his exceptional talent and commitment, Guhl was appointed as the director of the school in 1951, assuming a pivotal role in shaping the future generation of creative minds. During this period, Guhl’s creative pursuits expanded beyond the classroom. He started collaborating with Eternit AG, a prominent company known for its innovative use of fiber cement. Working closely with the company, Guhl channeled his creative vision into designing a wide range of furniture pieces. His designs showcased a harmonious blend of aesthetics, functionality, and the unique properties of the material. One of Guhl’s most iconic creations is the Loop…
- RAFAEL TRIBOLIRafael Triboli, a self-taught artist born in Porto Alegre and currently residing and working in São Paulo, emerges as a compelling figure within the artistic landscape. His creative journey began in the southern region of Brazil, where he delved into the study and experimentation of industrial processes and traditional woodworking techniques, ultimately crafting his initial collection of authorial pieces. In 2018, Triboli relocated to São Paulo, a city known for its vibrant artistic scene, where his artistic vision flourished. Inspired by the works of influential figures such as Donald Judd and Le Corbusier, he channeled his creativity into the development of a remarkable collection in 2020. Paying homage to these iconic artists, Triboli’s pieces exude a distinctive blend of inspiration, originality, and craftsmanship. Moreover, Triboli has demonstrated his versatility by venturing into the realm of interior design. Notably, he spearheaded the interior design project for SINGA, drawing inspiration from the groundbreaking book “Autoprogetazzione” by Italian designer Enzo Mari. This endeavor sought to embody the ethos of self-construction and a steadfast opposition to mass production, aiming to democratize design. By integrating thoughtful compositions and careful curation, Triboli injected his unique perspective into the project, stimulating a fresh and inclusive approach to…
- JACQUE FAUSHailing from São Paulo, Jacque Faus (1989) in 2013, earned her visual artist degree from the esteemed Faculdade Belas Artes de São Paulo.Faus’s creative focus centers on harnessing the innate unpredictability and transformative qualities of clay to shape captivating and evocative sculptures. What distinguishes Faus’s artistic practice is her organic approach to sculptural creation. Unlike traditional methods relying on meticulous planning and preconceived sketches, Faus embraces the inherent plasticity of clay and allows her creations to evolve naturally through a process of assemblage. By immersing herself in the serendipitous and unstable nature of the material, she embarks on a profound exploration of its intrinsic qualities. Faus’s artistry celebrates the malleability of clay, relinquishing rigid control to embrace the interplay between intention and the spontaneous nature of the medium. The resulting sculptures beautifully blend her artistic vision with the clay’s inherent qualities, resulting in captivating and harmonious forms. Through her work, Faus invites viewers to appreciate the imperfections, surprises, and unique expressions that emerge from the fusion of human creativity and the organic qualities of clay. Her sculptures serve as a testament to the inherent beauty that arises when artists surrender to the innate potential and serendipity of their chosen materials.
- PERCIVAL LAFERPercival Lafer, a renowned Brazilian architect, designer, and industrial designer, was born in 1936 and studied at the Mackenzie Presbyterian University College of Architecture in São Paulo. Following his graduation, he assumed the leadership of LAFER, his late father’s furniture company, alongside his brothers. Established in 1927, the company specialized in the trade of furniture pieces. Lafer gained significant recognition for his chair and sofa designs, characterized by the harmonious combination of low-profile hardwood structures and plush leather upholstery. His primary objective was to create accessible furniture items that would bring good design to the masses. In 1961, Lafer introduced the MP-1 armchair, which rapidly captivated an audience unaccustomed to consuming sophisticated furniture pieces. The MP-1 chair introduced novel shapes, finishes, and materials, incorporating metal profiles in conjunction with wood. This groundbreaking creation paved the way for a series of new products, effectively dispelling the prevailing notion that design was incomprehensible to the general public. Consequently, Percival Lafer revolutionized the Brazilian furniture market. It is worth noting that the initials “MP,” signifying “Patented Furniture,” were subsequently incorporated into the company’s logo, solidifying the brand as MP Lafer. With an unwavering commitment to comfort, ergonomics, and aesthetics, Percival Lafer dedicated the…
- SÉRGIO RODRIGUESSergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) was born in Brazil and after graduating in 1952 from the Faculdade Nacional de Arquitetura, he assisted in opening, in partnership with the Hauner brothers, Moveis Artesanal Paranaense, the first modern art and furniture store in Curitiba in Brazil. Even though the store attracted a lot of interest, it was a commercial failure. In 1955, Rodrigues founded Oca, one of the most influential and largest furniture manufacturers ever in Brazil, a store that heralded a new phase in the production of Brazilian furniture. During the peak of his career in the 1950s and 60s, he created furniture designs in accordance with modernism, bringing the Brazilian identity into his projects, both in the design and in the form of traditional materials – leather, wood and rattan – exalting his native culture. He left the company in 1968 and since then has been working in his studio developing furniture lines for industrial production, architecture projects, and hotel, residential and office environments, as well as systems of pre-fabricated homes. Rodrigues made his mark on the international design scene as the creator of the Mole armchair (1957) lounge chair, which was awarded first prize at the International Furniture Competition in Cantu,…
- JEAN GILLONJean Gillon (1919-2007) was born in Romania and graduated in architecture from the National University of Budapest. He also studied at the Kunstgewerbschulle in Vienna and at the School of Arts and Crafts in Leeds – where he worked as a visiting professor. Jean Gillon moved to São Paulo in 1956. His interventions included interior architecture, visual arts and design. His first orders for furniture came from his architectural projects. In 1961 he founded his first company, Fábrica de Móveis Cidam, which was followed by Woodart, where he produced complete ranges of furniture in rosewood and leather. He also signed projects for the furniture factories Italma and Probel. In 1991, his Jangada armchair was mentioned in the MOVESP Award and in 1992, he was honored as Professional of the Year by the Brazilian Association of Interior Architects and Decorators.
- JORGE ZALSZUPINJorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) was born in Poland and studied architecture at Bucharest’s Ecole des Beaux Arts. While working as an architect in Paris, he found inspiration in articles about Brazilians Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx and decided to change the tornado of the European war for Brazil in 1949, in the midst of the tumultuous Rio Carnival. Hardly speaking the language and without almost a single dime in his pocket, Zalszupin then decided to write to Luciano Korngold, a renowned architect in São Paulo who was also originally from Poland. A couple of weeks later Korngold visited Rio de Janeiro for a conference, and was impressed by his drawings. Korngold hired Zalszupin on the spot. Filled with ambition, he opened up his own business in 1951, proceeding his work as an architect. Zalszupin also started working in decoration and design in the years that followed, although mostly because of his clients’ wishes. In 1959, Zalszupin started the furniture firm L’Atelier. Emphasizing a high level of craftsmanship, L’Atelier saw near-immediate success and eventually had two factories producing his designs. The first model Zalszupin designed was the now famous ‘Poltrona Dinamarquesa’ (the Danish chair). Zalszupin was heavily inspired by Danish design…
- CELINA MÓVEIS E DECORAÇÕESCelina Zylberberg was a founding partner of tapestry Boa Vista, one of the most famous textile industries in Rio de Janeiro for decades. In the early 1960s, his son Muniz Zylberberg, with an eye on the growing modern furniture market, transformed the fabric factory into a chain of wooden furniture stores, specializing in rosewood, and renamed it Celina Móveis e Decorações. In addition to producing pieces in series, they also made customizations in their furniture to meet the interior projects that they themselves offered to customers. At the head of the brand were his sons, the designers Muniz and Alexander Zylberberg, making them remain in the market for 20 years, being one of the favorite furniture stores of the upper-middle class in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
- PEDRO ÁVILAPedro Ávila, born in Brasilia, is a highly accomplished artist and designer who has honed his craft through extensive academic pursuits. Holding a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from Senac (2012) and specializing in sculpture, modeling, and foundry from Central Saint Martins (2019), Ávila’s educational background has provided him with a solid foundation for his artistic endeavors. From the outset, Ávila has exhibited a keen appreciation for the sculptural nature of objects. His creative journey began in 2015 when he co-founded Estúdio Orth, a prominent store in Brazil that not only showcased his furniture and object designs but also served as a platform for his first forays into authorial work. This early experience laid the groundwork for his subsequent ventures, including his involvement in Noda, a collaborative initiative founded in 2019 where he curates and develops utilitarian objects. Ávila’s artistic prowess has garnered considerable recognition and acclaim. In 2020, Forbes magazine featured him as one of the standout “Under 30” professionals of the year, highlighting his exceptional talent and contributions to the creative landscape. Building upon this success, Ávila embarked on a new phase of artistic exploration at the end of 2021, delving into sculptural studies encompassing a diverse array…
- MÓVEIS CIMOCIMO (Companhia Industrial de Móveis), established in 1913 in Rio Negrinho-SC, Brazil, by the brothers Jorge and Martin Zipperer, emerged as a significant player in the furniture industry. Having received formal training in carpentry at the renowned Lyceum of Arts and Crafts in São Paulo, the Zipperer brothers capitalized on the increasing demand for furniture in various settings such as homes, schools, public institutions, offices, theaters, and cinemas. CIMO played a pioneering role in the industrial development and production of a diverse range of furniture, setting the stage for subsequent advancements in the field. The period spanning the 1940s, 50s, and 60s witnessed CIMO’s golden age, characterized by its distinctive designs and mass production capabilities. Embracing a modernist aesthetic, CIMO’s furniture designs showcased simplicity in form, coupled with a remarkable emphasis on quality, ergonomics, and aesthetic appeal. Employing materials such as solid wood, laminates, and curved plywood, CIMO achieved a harmonious amalgamation of different wood tones in their creations. Despite its remarkable success and lasting impact, CIMO’s operations came to an end in 1982, marking the conclusion of its 61-year-long history. The company’s contributions to the furniture industry, however, remain significant, particularly in terms of pioneering industrialization, advancing design aesthetics,…
- CAVACava Studio, established by André Teixeira, Pedro Ávila, and Rodolfo Crespi, represents an exceptional collaboration that integrates three distinct talents, each with a specialty that substantially enriches the collective. The convergence of these skills results in a balanced fusion of high technology, classical sculpture, and contemporary design, positioning the studio as a landmark of originality and innovation in its creations.
- UNKNOWN ARTISTWithin this category, we proudly present a selection of extraordinary pieces that, regrettably, have not yet received the recognition they deserve within the realm of Brazilian furniture research. However, let it be known that these remarkable creations possess an unrivaled quality, breathtaking design, and employ materials of the utmost excellence. In fact, their craftsmanship stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the already established and widely acknowledged pieces. The only factor that sets them apart lies in their journey through an era of unparalleled challenges: the inflated furniture manufacturing market of the 1960s to the 1980s. Despite enduring the daunting obstacles of that time, these exceptional pieces have managed to preserve their intrinsic value and undying allure. Our commitment at Aalvo Gallery is to shed light on these unsung heroes, uncovering their hidden stories and offering them the recognition they so rightfully deserve. By presenting them in this distinguished category, we aim to amplify their significance and commemorate their enduring impact on the Brazilian furniture landscape. Prepare to be captivated by their undeniable brilliance and join us in celebrating these timeless treasures of design excellence.
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