We are taking part in one of the most prominent art & design events, SP-Arte fair in São Paulo
In our booth we exhibit two series of collectible design objects: series ‘Emma’ and series ‘Totems’. Both of them consist of new pieces created specially for the fair, though they are a new chapter of a long-running projects launched more than a decade ago.
Series ‘Emma’ was initially inspired by the artefacts from Treivas’s childhood: in her drawer details of the construction kit were tangled with yarn. In this iteration of ‘Emma’ the artist switches cold metal for vibrant Jatoba wood and introduces a perforated solar motif with hand-made embroidery.
Four pieces of collectible furniture tell a story about the universal language of traditional crafts and the importance of analogue labour in an ever-evolving world. Sun is a common symbol for many cultures, just like knitting and weaving are basic traditional techniques which lie in the foundation of arts.
We have jokingly called these objects ‘sol na peneira’. The name is a redefinition of a Brazilian saying ‘tapar o sol com a peneira’, or cover the sun with a sieve.
It is used when a person makes an unsuccessful attempt to hide something they did wrong. Embracing irregularity of hand-made embroidery is a way to admit one’s mistake and make imperfection the strongest feature. This approach is honest, naive and profoundly feminine: just like the pieces, eye-catching in their sincerity.
The series ‘Totems’ represents the possibilities of crystal glass-making, another traditional craft. The first edition of ‘Totems’ was crystal clear and diamond-cut, exploring the traditional approach to glass-making of Gus Crystal Factory, one of the oldest glass manufacturers in Russia. These colorful sculptures demonstrate the array of rare crystal-decorating techniques, which is taking its starting point from Murano craftsmen in Venice.
The fair takes place in Pavilhão da Bienal de São Paulo building from April 8 to April 12.