arthur casas debuts handcrafted furniture for ESPASSO

made in america: arthur casas debuts handcrafted furniture for ESPASSO
all images by eliseu cavalcante

acclaimed brazilian architect arthur casas has designed new pieces of furniture for design gallery ESPASSO. titled ‘made in america’, the collection premieres five new works that have been entirely handcrafted in brooklyn. the pieces are on display at ESPASSO’s tribeca showroom until march 27, 2016, and are presented alongside casas’ earlier design objects made in brazil. the exhibition highlights the cross-cultural exchange of ideas between casas’ native country and the united states.

‘made in america’ premieres five new works that have been entirely handcrafted in brooklyn

the collection comprises five distinct pieces, handcrafted by brooklyn-based fabricators anchor & canvas: the ‘fibonacci bookcase’ and ‘rectangular coffee table’ both made from stained american walnut and blacked steel; ‘square coffee table’ comprised of travertine and blacked steel; ‘copacabana sideboard’ handcrafted from american walnut; and the ’tiles coffee table’ made of limestone and blackened steel. these new pieces are joined by previously released works, such as the ‘AC dining table’, ‘zumbi chaise’, ‘quilombo desk’, and the ‘ondas sideboard’.

the coffee table sits on a blackened steel base

the exhibit also features a site-specific art installation that transforms the first floor of the gallery and immerses visitors as they enter the main presentation area. this spatial environment, designed by casas himself, features a great number of the architect’s works displayed on vellum screens. photographs, drawings, and sketches are complemented with an audio soundtrack and a fragrance designed to evoke a rainforest atmosphere.

the surface measures 55 x 55 inches (140 x 140 cm)

ESPASSO is a design gallery that showcases a wide range of modern and contemporary brazilian furniture, art and design objects. headed by carlos junqueira, the company opened their first store in new york in 2002. ‘ESPASSO is honored to be the premiere venue to unveil new furniture pieces designed by arthur casas, which beautifully display his ability to create works that are thought provoking, unique and striking,’ said owner and curator carlos junqueira. ‘the exhibit explores arthur’s ability to design furniture that translates across different disciplines, and the dialogue created between a brazilian designer who is handcrafting work in america.’

the table’s limestone surface

the exhibition coincides with the release of ‘studio arthur casas: works 2008-2015‘ — a new monograph surveying the recent projects of arthur casas. the book highlights major designs dating from the last seven years through explanatory texts, color photos and rarely-seen drawings.

the ‘square coffee table’ is comprised of travertine and blacked steel