Hello everyone,
Here the second part of my books selection that I find essencial for anyone who wants to go deeper into Brazilian mid-century design. In Part I, I shared titles that give an overview of the period and others titles about key designers who shaped this movement. If you haven’t seen it yet you can read it here. Now let’s continue it with more 5 great designers. Enjoy the reading.
11.1 Móveis Artísticos Z (1948–1961): O moderno autodidata e seus recortes sinuosos
This publication by Alexandre Penedo is the most detailed research ever produced on Jose Zanine Caldas’s Moveis Artisticos Z phase, the first introducing plywood into the concept with the intention to make design more democratic & accessible in modern living in Brazil. Penedo’s research look into Zanine’s self-taught approach and his unique sculptural cuts, and the organic language that would become central on his architectural & furniture production. The research includes rare documentation, period photographs, and technical observations. I would say that its a detailed catalogue of Moveis Artisticos Z production and one of the most valuable source of information. Although its not a commercial book the full research is available for download at USP (University of São Paulo) digital archive. (Portuguese only)
11.2 Móveis Denúncia – Sentir e Fazer
A rare & historically publication Moveis Denuncia – Sentir e Fazer documents one of the most powerful moments in Jose Zanine Caldas’s career. With only 3,000 copies printed, the book is difficult to find today, but it remains an essential reference for anyone interested in the series of pieces created as a form of protest against the destruction of Brazil’s forests and his activism to rase ecological awareness in a way that was decades ahead of its time. The book is richly illustrated with photographs of his pieces and architectural work. (Available in Portuguese and English)
12. Unilabor: desenho industrial, arte moderna e autogestão operaria
This book by Mauro Claro explores the fascinating collective experiment known as Unilabor. More than a furniture company co-founded by the artist & designer Geraldo de Barros, Unilabor was a social project built on cooperative egalitarian, humanist principles. The book presents the furniture developed under De Barros’s direction based on his constructive references inspired by Concrete Art and his commitment to modular, rational solutions. It also explains how the cooperative model operated and how its social ideals were translated into design and production, something completely unique at the time. Unfortunately the book is available only in Portuguese but it is the main reference on Unilabor and a invaluable resource for researchers and collectors interested in design, industry, and social innovation. (Available on the secondary market)
13. Branco & Preto: Uma História de Design Brasileiro nos Anos 50 — Marlene Acayaba
This publication by Marlene Acayaba deep dive into the pioneering architecture & furniture store founded by a group of young architects Miguel Forte, Jacob Ruchti, Plínio Croce, Roberto Aflalo, Carlos Milan e Chen y Hua in São Paulo. The book documents their commitment to break the old-fashioned interiors creating furniture that matched with the new way of living in the 1950’s. It includes photos, original drawings and archival materials that shows how Branco & Preto helped introduce a new design sensibility that shaped Brazilian modern design. Acayaba’s research is an important reference to understand how mid-century design developed in Brazil. Only available in Portuguese, but definitely worth the search.
14. Oscar Niemeyer – Jean Petit
I consider this book a real gift for readers, because it’s a treasure that many people still don’t know. While the focus goes beyond furniture design, the book offers valuable documentation of pieces created for the iconic projects of French Communist Party headquarters and the Mondadori building in Italy. For anyone interested in the origins of Niemeyer’s furniture design or in understanding his creative universe as a whole, this is an very good reference. This edition also presents the architectural and artistic universe through rare photographs, sketches, and intimate commentary. There are editions in Portuguese and French available on the secondary market.
15. Forma S.A. — Waiting for the Book It Deserves
There is still no book published dedicated to Forma S.A., one of the most important companies in the history of modern design in Brazil and a key player in bringing international modernism into Brazilian homes. While we wait for a comprehensive book it deserves, exhibitions and academic researches helped to illuminate it. One of the most relevant is the research by Mina Warchavchik about Móveis Artesanal, the company that would later become Forma S.A. under the creative direction of Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. Her research is available only in Portuguese at Academia.edu
Happily, more researchers are now turning their attention to Forma S.A., and hopefully soon they will make available their research. I thought it would be important to point the absence of a book dedicated to them, researches, galleries and collectors still rely on primary sources to confirm the production and history of the company.
These 15 titles I’ve shared cover the main historical context and the key designers of the period. There are others great names that I’m intend to explore later here. I also know these books can be hard to find, so if you ever need help locating a copy or want some guidance feel free to reach out.
There is still plenty of room for research, translations and updated studies in this field, so consider this list a starting point. Also there are other tiles recently published. I hope it helps you navigate the subject with more confidence and curiosity. Thank you for reading and I see you in the next one.
Varela Advisory 