The Campana Brothers unveil dramatic prototypes for their first solo US show

New furniture prototypes at 'Campana Brothers: Concepts'
Designers Fernando and Humberto Campana have launched a bumper crop of new furniture prototypes at 'Campana Brothers: Concepts', which runs at Friedman Benda in New York's Chelsea until 3 July. Courtesy: Friedman Benda;
(Image credit: Adam Reich)

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.'

Designer furniture

The duo have been developing their new collection since the start of the year. Courtesy: Friedman Benda;

(Image credit: Adam Reich)

'Racket Chair (Circles)'.

'Racket Chair (Circles)'. 

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

'Cabinet in glass with amethyst'

'Cabinet in glass with amethyst', 2013, from the 'Ametista' series.

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

'Amethyst Panel'

'Amethyst Panel', 2013, also from the 'Ametista' series.

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

Installation view of the Amethyst Panels.

Installation view of the Amethyst Panels. Courtesy: Friedman Benda;

(Image credit: Adam Reich)

'Fitas' steel buffet

'Fitas' steel buffet, 2012.

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

The buffet features spirals of bent metal.

The buffet features spirals of bent metal.

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

The 'Fitas' buffet in brass.

The 'Fitas' buffet in brass. 

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

'Boca' wall-mounted shelf

'Boca' wall-mounted shelf, stitched with panels of cowhide.

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

The gallery walls themselves, which have been covered in coconut fibres, creating an immersive environment.

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; 

(Image credit: Adam Reich)

A chair and screen

A chair and screen from the 'Racket' series. 

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

'Alligator' sofa.

'Alligator' sofa.

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

The 'Alligator' banquette chair

A detail from the 'Alligator' banquette chair.

(Image credit: Marcos Cimardi)

'Detonado' chairs.

One of the brothers' 'Detonado' chairs.

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

The 'Detonado' series features old caning panels.

The 'Detonado' series features old caning panels.

(Image credit: Fernando Laszlo)

'Coal Candleholder'

'Coal Candleholder'

(Image credit: press)

ADDRESS

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515 West 26th Street
New York, NY

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Pei-Ru Keh is a former US Editor at Wallpaper*. Born and raised in Singapore, she has been a New Yorker since 2013. Pei-Ru held various titles at Wallpaper* between 2007 and 2023. She reports on design, tech, art, architecture, fashion, beauty and lifestyle happenings in the United States, both in print and digitally. Pei-Ru took a key role in championing diversity and representation within Wallpaper's content pillars, actively seeking out stories that reflect a wide range of perspectives. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children, and is currently learning how to drive.