nilufar gallery displays an exhibition dedicated to brazilian design
(above) ‘rio chaise longue’ by oscar niemeyer, 1980s
image courtesy of nilufar gallery

 

 

 

nilufar | brazilian design
nilufar gallery via della spiga 32, milan
april 12th, to april 17th, 2016

 

nilufar gallery in milan presents an exhibition dedicated to brazilian design, boasting a collection of over fourty pieces from the period 1940-1970. the designers showcased include; sergio rodrigues, joaquim tenreiro, zanine caldas, jorge zalszupin, martin eisler and oscar niemeyer.

nilufar brazilian design designboom
‘carrinho de chá’ by jorge zalszupin, 1950s
image courtesy of nilufar gallery

 

 

 

architect oscar niemeyer’s sculptural ‘rio chaise longue’ on show at nilufar, was designed in 1978 in collaboration with his daughter anna maria niemeyer. the chair expresses a classic elegance through its curved shape and folded layers, an almost shell like appearance is present, mimicking natural forms found within nature.

 

polish born jorge zalszupin moved to brazil after world war II where he designed ‘carrinho de chá’. this furniture piece embodies distinct brazilian modernist features, including two large brass wheels, a triangular second shelf, as well as a tray top containing abstract slots in which to hold objects.

nilufar brazilian design designboom
‘bar cabinet’ by josé zanine caldas, 1950s
image courtesy of nilufar gallery

 

 

 

jose zanine was an artist, designer and architect who was heavily influenced by local craftsmen who carved boats and furniture from felled trees. he began experimenting with these traditional techniques creating sculptural works which became the focus of his late career. the ‘bar cabinet’ he created in the 1950’s consists of numerous compartments that fit together to make a complex structure. small embellishments are added to the sides, in the form of small randomly dotted holes.

nilufar brazilian design designboom
‘sofa’ by joaquim tenreiro, 1954
image courtesy of nilufar gallery

 

 

 

designer joaquim tenreiro developed a language that adapted to the country’s heat, using wicker and brazilian hardwoods. the ‘sofa’ he constructed uses strips of wood that form a long rectangular block. on top sit three square blue cushions out lined with a white seam, this piece challenges conventional preconceptions towards a sitting room chair, by incorporating the comfort of a sofa that responds to a warmer climate.

 

all of the works described are on show at nulifar gallery.

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nilufar | brazilian design
image courtesy of mattia iotti

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nilufar | brazilian design
image courtesy of mattia iotti