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Carlos Motta at Espasso

Marking 40 years of Brazilian design star Carlos Motta’s career, Espasso gallery – equally versed in mid-century modern to contemporary Brazilian furniture – hosts a comprehensive and immersive retrospective at their Tribeca locale.Opening on 16 September, the show features 50 iconic chairs,...
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Marking 40 years of Brazilian design star Carlos Motta‘s career, Espasso gallery – equally versed in mid-century modern to contemporary Brazilian furniture – hosts a comprehensive and immersive retrospective at their Tribeca locale.

Opening on 16 September, the show features 50 iconic chairs, tables and lamps as well as 11 new limited-edition pieces. Almost as if in the designer’s own home, a highly personal mural of  inspiration, photos and sketches stream across three walls, perfectly matching an eclectic yet identifiably-Motta array of furniture and accents in arranged domestic settings. Ecologically-sensitive in the selection of noble and upcycled woods – his country’s natural wealth – the quintessentially autonomous designer sees each step of his process through, especially as it follows into yoga and surfing practices.

Trained as a carpenter in both California and Finland, the influences of modern simplicity and ergonomic sophistication have made Motta a recognised figure the world over. With a full spectrum of styles, materials, proportions and applications telling a full story, a more recent one-off collection – celebrating this milestone – demonstrates Motta’s playfully suggestive nature, reflection on his own career, implementation of new production technologies and keen understanding of massive materials.

The Carlos Motta 40 Years retrospective runs till 12 October at Espasso: 38 North Moore Street, New York.

Carlos Motta - Nave Floor Lamp & Side Table
Nave is a combination lamp and side table, which Motta made using laser cutting, welding and oxidizing to transform coffee filters, rusted iron and reclaimed wood.
Carlos Motta - Pindá
Pinda has spikes on its back to contrast a smooth front and evokes tactual sensuality.
Sergio Swivel Chair 01
Sergio armchair is a loving tribute to Motta’s close friend and fellow Brazilian design star Sergio Rodrigues.
Carlos Motta - Ferrão
Playful elements can be found throughout Motta's latest limited edition collection.
Motta puts the final touches on his live 'book of inspiration' turning Espasso's Tribeca space into a domestic space. Photo Eliseu Cavalcante.
Motta puts the final touches on his live 'book of inspiration' turning Espasso's Tribeca space into a domestic space. Photo Eliseu Cavalcante.
Photos, sketches and pakshots are combined to reveal something of an ethnographic retrospective of the designer's life and career. Photo Eliseu Cavalcante.
Photos, sketches and pakshots are combined to reveal something of an ethnographic retrospective of the designer's life and career. Photo Eliseu Cavalcante.
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