Inspiration can often be found in both the strangest and most familiar places.
Sometimes, we see it in a film or other art form and sometimes it strikes us when we’ve stepped outside of our comfort zone. A collective of Brazilian artists known as the Raiz Project made an intercontinental trip to New York City to demonstrate the powerful inspiration they were able to find in the place they call home.
On Tuesday, May 21, Natura Brasil hosted An Evening of Cocktails and Brazilian Design in their Soho cosmetics store. Fashion, art, and design enthusiasts milled about among scented oils, soaps, and body lotions sourced straight from the rainforests of Brazil. Fruitful discussion flowed over wine and cheese among the night’s attendees as they awaited the Raiz Project designers to make their entrance.
The event was held to continue the conversation sparked by the works presented at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) being hosted at the Javits Center earlier in the day. Designers Holaria, Ricardo Rodrigues, and Sergio Matos represented the Raiz Project at the ICFF. After more than 30 years of showcasing luxury furniture design, the ICFF has become a leading vehicle for putting the latest and most innovative trends on display. Similarly, the Raiz Project prides itself on not only celebrating creativity and new ideas in furniture design, but doing so within the context of Brazil’s vast abundant diversity of cultures and landscapes.
Sergio Matos in particular embodies both the aims of the Raiz Project and the reputation of the ICFF within his unique and award-winning designs. In a world where the indigenous people of the Amazon have often had their voices muted, Matos has used their culture to craft numerous beautiful creations in a form of artistic empowerment. From baskets used to carry food, to the sea corals found near Brazilian beaches, to the animals that also call the rainforest home, Matos weaves rich ethnic and biodiversity into furniture to create art. In an age where the beauty of Brazil is often taken for granted, the importance of the indigenous artistic representation on an international scale rings loud and clear through his work and the message of his fellow Raiz Project designers.
Photo Credit: Natura Brasil
