In the late 1940s, designer Joaquim Tenreiro introduced sleek, minimalist chairs and cabinets José Zanine Caldas, now best known for his later artisanal work, created plywood furnishings for mass-production the Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi, a former editor for the Gio Ponti-founded magazine Domus, set up shop in São Paulo, designing elegant, flexible chairs set on slim metal frames. Until that time, heavy furniture based on historical European models had been the norm. The nation finally realized genuine constitutional democracy in 1945, ushering in a new, progressive era in the arts. Modernity came slowly to 20th-century Brazil, politically and culturally. The designer has worked closely with Oscar Niemeyer, as the latter's interior designer of choice for his buildings in Brasilia.The prolific architect and designer Sergio Rodrigues is often called the "father of modern Brazilian design," but it is the second adjective in that phrase that deserves emphasis: Rodrigues’s great achievement was to create furniture in a style that captured the spirit, character and personality of his country. His work represents Brazil in many ways – relaxed, comfortable, sensual and humorous, yet sophisticated and contemporary.Īmongst his well-known works are pieces of furniture designed for the Brazilian Embassy in Rome, for the UNB (Brasília University) and the Teatro Nacional (National Theater in Brasília). Rodrigues later set out on his own designing furniture, hotels, residences and notorious pre-fabricated dwellings. In 1955, Rodrigues opened the more established company Oca, which he referred to as ‘a laboratory for Brazilian furniture and handicrafts’ and became one of the most critical components in the evolution of furniture in Brazil. The designer graduated from the Faculdade Nacional de Arquitetura in 1952, and shortly after founded one of the first modern furniture and art stores in Curitiba.
The piece informed by Rodrigues’ playfulness and wit, readily became associated with a typically relaxed Brazilian attitude and lifestyle. His iconic Mole armchair was an immediate success, comprised of jacaranda and upholstered cushions supported by leather straps. He became notorious for his use of robust woods like jacaranda, peroba and imbuia to create quintessential icons.
Indeed, he was responsible for establishing a new paradigm in design, setting himself apart with his very own language in his quest for a clearly recognizable Brazilian identity. He has been dubbed the father of Brazilian furniture. Sergio Rodrigues was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1927 and died in 2014.
0 kommentar(er)
