Campana Brothers: Concepts(June 5- July 3, 2013) at Friedman Benda Gallery
It is hard to believe that Concepts is the first solo gallery exhibition of the famous Brazilian designers brothers Campana. Simply because there work is ever present in contemporary design auctions, in the press, and just last fall they had a beautiful show of their new work, “Barroco Rococó,” at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. But it is true and Concepts is actually an amalgam of several new bodies of work.
My favorite pieces in the show were these Racket chairs and screen which were made from a bent brass frame with a nylon stitched base and a hand-stitched back from with a salvaged Thonet chair.
Campana Brothers, Banquete Alligator in Leather, 2012 Leather stuffed alligator toys, canvas cover over a stainless steel and brass structure 35.43 x 39.37 x 55.12 inches, Edition of 35. Image courtesy of Friedman Benda, NYC.
While this new work still is still based on the same motifs (see the Banquete Alligator in Leather) and principles (use of sustainable and humble materials) that made them famous in the first place, like those chairs with stuffed alligators that are at once playful and eerie, the new work is more grown-up and elegant. Also these new chairs were made with the assistance of the Brazilian NGO OrientaVida, which works with underprivileged women who will get income from the manufacture of these chairs.
Friedman Benda Installation. Image courtesy of Friedman Benda, NYC.
Friedman Benda Installation. Image courtesy of Friedman Benda, NYC.
The walls of the normally all-white gallery were lined in coconut fiber, a small token from Brazil, whose influence is so strong that it can be considered a third Campana brother.
The large glass screen in the middle of the gallery is called the Ametista. The hung glass panels are adorned with Sao Paulo-sourced amethyst rocks.
Campana Brothers, Fitas Buffet, 2012, Brass, 78.74 x 15.75 x 27.56 inches, Edition of 8. Image courtesy of Friedman Benda, NYC.
Fitas means “stripe” in Portugese and is made from bent steel. There is also a table in the same design.
For more information: http://www.friedmanbenda.com/
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