The secret language of objects: Geraldo De Barros's industrial design

Oropallo, Gabriele (2013) The secret language of objects: Geraldo De Barros's industrial design. In: Geraldo de Barros: Isso. Edições SESC. ISBN 9788579950551

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Abstract / Description

This chapter examines the industrial design work of Geraldo De Barros, a Brazilian concrete artist who in the 1950s and 60s founded two modern furniture companies of whom he was both executive and chief designer, and which enabled him to experiment with socially committed design. The chapter investigates his previous emigré experiences in Europe under the mentorship of Max Bill, and De Barros's unique translation of the concept of 'good form' to re-contextualise its content after his return to Brazil. Aesthetic presence in space is an aspect of industrially produced objects that is absolutely mediated by culture. Aesthetic appreciation of objects implies a process of reflection on their constitutive values, in which critical understanding is refined and messages can be revealed. The relation between user and object is non-verbal and non-narrative, as a form of education it is powerful in that it is ruled by its own time.

Item Type:	Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Brazil; modern design; furniture; social design; Barros, Geraldo de, 1923-1998
Subjects:	600 Technology > 670 Manufacturing 700 The arts; fine & decorative arts > 720 Architecture 700 The arts; fine & decorative arts > 730 Plastic arts; sculpture 900 History & geography > 980 History of South America
Department:	The School of Art, Architecture and Design
Depositing User:	Gabriele Oropallo
Date Deposited:	29 Dec 2020 11:36
Last Modified:	29 Dec 2020 11:36
URI:	https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/id/eprint/6269

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