22 May 2009

One-of-a-kind installation by Brazilian design team to make its world premiere in Soho

New York, NY – Alessi, a world leader in the manufacturing of inspired design objects,  launched the world premiere of a one-of-a-kind installation by the Campana Brothers during the 2009 International Contemporary Furniture Fair® in New York City.  Comprised of components from their Blow up line of products for Alessi, the installation was unveiled at a special event on Monday, May 18 at the Alessi showroom in Soho.  Following the May 18 unveiling, the installation will become a traveling installation that will be shown in Alessi stores around the world over the next two years.

To create the work, entitled Mandacaru Blow up, the groundbreaking design duo took approximately 100 chargers from their Blow up line for Alessi and re-purposed the original designs to create a stunning and grand installation that will put a new spin on the organic, sculptural work for which they’ve become known.  The products in the Alessi Blow up line are each made using off-cuts of stainless steel welded together in inspired and unexpected ways. 

In regards to the inspiration behind the installation the Campana Brothers said “Growing up in the countryside of Sao Paulo, we used to make our own toys out of mandacaru when we were children. These were our first steps as “junior designers”, in a way.  To revisit the shape of this cactus made out of an industrial product of our own design encapsulates several layers of meaning, from personal to professional, which we are happy to evoke with Alessi.”  

“Despite their quite evident Italian origins, the Campana Brothers are actually Brazilian through and through, and they are without a doubt to be included amongst the most interesting phenomena of recent young international design,” said Alberto Alessi.  “The brothers have built a path through the creative use of unusual materials. They have brought a healthy breath of fresh Brazilian and sub-equatorial air and poetry to European design.  With the Mandacaru Blow up window project, they have recreated the shape of the typical cactus found in the arid regions of Brazil from a seemingly chaotic agglomeration of their Blow up collection produced by Alessi.”

“The work of Fernando and Humberto Campana always offers a fresh, unpredictable surprise,” said Paolo Cravedi, Managing Director of Alessi USA.  “We cannot wait to unveil what the brothers have dreamed up with this newest project and we are honored to be able to give the public its first look at our New York City flagship store.”