BLACK GOLD

Inspired by the historic city of Minas Gerais and its traditions, the OURO PRETO collection brings a modernist language to the Minas Gerais Baroque style, with an absence of elaborate adornments and instead contemporary pieces made with brass sheet applications and wooden bases. Luxurious materials, wood and brass were chosen to evoke the grandeur, personality, and materials of the houses, windows and doors of Minas Gerais, the churches and their altars, and all the richness surrounding the gold cycle, so prominent throughout the region.
Designed by the creative director of the items, Mariana Amaral, the collection features 5 wall sconces, 5 table lamps and 5 pendant lights, which can be made in different shades of wood and explore precious metals: brass, nickel and copper in different tones, in addition to paints in exclusive colors of the brand.
Once again, the company presents a collection made with the participation of artisans, this time, two master brass workers and a carpenter, a master of the potter's wheel.
"This collection was conceived as a collection with a modernist soul, something unusual for something inspired by the baroque cities of Minas Gerais. We brought all the luxury of gold and wood to the reality of contemporary homes, also inspired by modernist masters. The OURO PRETO collection has 5 models of table lamps, 5 wall sconces and 5 pendant lights. The bases of the lamps resemble the cobblestone streets, the wood evokes altars, saints, churches, doors and windows… and all the elegance and richness of brass to recall the gold of Minas Gerais…"
Ouro Preto attracted not only gold prospectors, but also intellectuals, artists, and a large wave of modernist poets. The city and its region are our main reference point for colonial art. But it is intrinsically linked to modern and contemporary art. Two years after the Week of Modern Art in 1922, a modernist expedition was undertaken to the mining towns of Minas Gerais, culminating in Ouro Preto. Oswald de Andrade, Tarsila do Amaral, Mário de Andrade, among others, set out to discover the charms of Minas Gerais. Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Manuel da Costa Ataíde, Cecília Meireles, and Elizabeth Bishop, among many others, also dedicated pages of their works and paintings to the city that influenced the artistic production of an era. "I then thought of bringing the modernism of Brazilian furniture to this collection. A collection of Baroque lampshades in homage to Ouro Preto would be too obvious," explains Mariana.

Designed in 2020, the collection arrives during São Paulo's 2021 design week at the brand's concept store window, located at Gabriel Monteiro da Silva 1111, São Paulo.

SPECIAL SHOWCASE
To celebrate and showcase part of the collection, the brand prepared a special window display, with walls painted in Suvinil's "royal crown" color. The selection of carefully curated pieces for the display includes a large hand-carved Divine figure, antique gold-plated oratories, and two beautiful images… all made by artisans from Minas Gerais, as well as rugs, baskets, necklaces made of coconut, shells, açaí, and jari (including one that evokes chains and intentionally reminds us of the terrible slavery of the colonial period), and antique vases reused according to the traditions of the interior.
Another highlight is the 1950s Formica sideboard and vintage furniture by Jorge Zalszupin, including two rare examples of the Ouro Preto armchair.
The concept for the window display also bears the signature of the brand's creative director.