It seems fitting that Fernando and Humberto Campana should toast 30 years of creative partnership with their first solo show on American soil. This week sees the Brazilian brothers take over the Friedman Benda gallery in Chelsea, New York, with 'Campana Brothers: Concepts', a group of dramatic prototypes the duo has been developing since the start of the year.
The brothers have taken the opportunity here to reiterate the principles that have consistently informed their work: sustainability, handcraft and experimentation with materials. This show charts their progression in each of these areas while underlining the playful, lighthearted and wholeheartedly Brazilian approach we've come to love.
At the centre of 'Concepts' is the 'Circles' chair, an exploration of the tennis racket chair conceived back in 2010 and ultimately written off as a mistake. The Campanas have revisited the woven, organic form in their 'Racket' series, a family of brass-framed benches, consoles and screens that incorporate nylon-stitched lattice and woven elements of old Thonet chairs.
The pair's longstanding affection for natural materials manifests itself in the gallery walls themselves, which have been covered in coconut fibres, creating an immersive environment. Stitched cowhide panels cover parts of the 'Boca' wall-mounted bookshelf and brass table, making them appear to emerge from the walls and floor. The 'Ametista' series of cabinets boast large amethyst crystals inserted within the glass. And a cabinet coated in tanned pirarucu skin (a large, sustainably farmed freshwater fish from Brazil) stands out in all its eco-conscious glory.
Speaking in tandem, the Campanas took stock of the exhibition's main threads. 'We like the time that it takes to make a piece,' they said, 'because we learn that we have several paths for reflection. Different materials allow us to investigate different concepts. We want to investigate natural materials more and find new possibilities to be as environmentally conscious as possible.
'Sometimes we don't achieve this, but [we've] liked to push in this direction since the beginning.'
The duo have been developing their new collection since the start of the year. Courtesy: Friedman Benda;
'Racket Chair (Circles)'.
'Cabinet in glass with amethyst', 2013, from the 'Ametista' series.
'Amethyst Panel', 2013, also from the 'Ametista' series.
Installation view of the Amethyst Panels. Courtesy: Friedman Benda;
'Fitas' steel buffet, 2012.
The buffet features spirals of bent metal.
The 'Fitas' buffet in brass.
'Boca' wall-mounted shelf, stitched with panels of cowhide.
The pair's longstanding affection for natural materials manifests itself in the gallery walls themselves, which have been covered in coconut fibres, creating an immersive environment. Courtesy: Friedman Benda;
A chair and screen from the 'Racket' series.
'Alligator' sofa.
A detail from the 'Alligator' banquette chair.
One of the brothers' 'Detonado' chairs.
The 'Detonado' series features old caning panels.
'Coal Candleholder'
ADDRESS
Friedman Benda
515 West 26th Street
New York, NY
-
Eleven great things to see at 3 Days of Design 2025The scale and scope of 3 Days of Design has expanded dramatically since its inception 12 years ago. Here, we share our pick of standout exhibitions and events from the upcoming edition (18-20 June 2025)
-
Introducing Wallpaper’s new video series, Work in ProcessIn this series, Wallpaper* discovers the processes by which creative visionaries bring their work to life. First up, we head to the the Fonteyne Studio at the Royal Opera House to meet esteemed ballet dancer William Bracewell
-
Tour architect Paul Schweikher’s house, a Chicago midcentury masterpieceNow hidden in the Chicago suburbs, architect Paul Schweikher's former home and studio is an understated midcentury masterpiece; we explore it, revisiting a story from the Wallpaper* archives, first published in April 2009
-
Why are so many rooms covered in curtains?Comfort, privacy, and performance are all contained in the rooms swaddled in plush draperies
-
This Manhattan apartment and studio is a shrine to artThis New York artist's home is both comfortable and flexible, acting as a studio and a showcase for his work and collected pieces. We take a tour for our interiors series, The Inside Story
-
Life’s a beach at this tropical-glam Miami developmentFive Park Miami Beach mixes streamlined glamour with vibrant colour, and is the focus of Wallpaper’s interiors series, The Inside Story, as the Floridian city holds its annual Grand Prix
-
A Frank Lloyd Wright lamp broke auction record at Sotheby’s – fetching $7.5 millionThe architect's ‘Double-Pedestal’ lamp, which was designed for the Dana House in 1903, has become his most valuable work ever offered at auction
-
Step inside this Upper East Side jewel box apartmentThis radiant Lexington Avenue home is a harbinger of good things for the Upper East Side, and the latest focus of The Inside Story, our series spotlighting intriguing and innovative interior design
-
This Colorado ski chalet combines Rocky Mountains warmth with European design nousWood and stone meet artisanal and antique pieces in this high-spec, high-design mountain retreat
-
Swiss utilitarianism meets West Africa in this Armando Cabral and USM furniture collaborationA centuries-old West African motif signifying movement, adaptability, and progress served as the starting point for this collaboration between New York-based designer Armando Cabral and Swiss furniture brand USM
-
Hilltop hideaway: Colony creates tranquil interiors for a Catskills retreatPerched between two mountain ranges, this Catskills retreat marries bold, angular architecture with interiors that offer warmth and texture
