An exhibition that mixes visual arts, design and architecture, occupies two brutalist houses from the 1970s for the first time
Starting in August, the show Aberto3 returns to São Paulo for its third edition. Originally inaugurated in the remaining residence of the architect Oscar Niemeyer in São Paulo, and in its second edition in a house designed by Villanova Artigas, central figure of the Paulista School of Architecture, this year's exhibition will be held in two different spaces.
The 2024 event pays homage to the artistic and architectural legacy of two notable Asian-Brazilian women, whose brutalist residences from the 1970s will be the stage. More than just homes, these places symbolize the perpetuation of the creativity, spirit, and memory of these women for future generations. One of the spaces is the house designed by Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake for his mother, Tomie Ohtake, an artist of Japanese origin born in Kyoto. The other is the residence designed by Chu Ming Silveira, an architect and designer born in Shanghai, China, and creator of the iconic “orelhão”, one of the great symbols of Brazilian urban furniture.
The houses serve as a backdrop for art and design exhibitions, carefully selected by the trio of curators Filipe Assis, Kiki Mazzucchelli, and Claudia Moreira Salles in response to the architectural environment; elements such as apparent concrete and organic lines will be perfectly integrated to enhance the overall artistic experience. “We are excited to reveal the remarkable stories of these extraordinary women and their profound impact on Brazilian art, architecture, and design. The exhibition not only celebrates their artistic and architectural contributions, but also their immigrant perspectives that shaped the Brazilian modernist movement,” explains Filipe Assis, art entrepreneur and founder of ABERTO in 2022.
The art curatorship of the exhibition highlights modern and contemporary works of art, both Brazilian and international, through collaborations with galleries such as Fortes D'Aloia & Gabriel, Mendes Wood DM, Luisa Strina and Nara Roesler. In parallel, the design curator, led by Claudia Moreira Salles, will present new pieces of furniture designed by the Ohtake and Chu families, specially edited for the event by the ETEL Gallery, under the direction of Lissa Carmona.
“These houses offer unexpected intimacy, inspired by oriental designs with low ceilings that increase engagement with art, promoting contemplation and interaction. Our curatorship carefully uses architectural elements - openings, angles, and natural light - to place works of art, transforming each house into a canvas that combines form and function for an immersive experience beyond typical exhibition patterns,” explains curator Claudia Moreira Salles.
Chu Ming Silveira's residence, designed in the early 1970s and located in Real Parque, São Paulo, stands out for its innovative concrete and glass structure. Designed to promote conviviality and prioritize functionality, the house will house a selection of modern and historic artworks, including works by Wanda Pimentel, Abraham Palatnik, Anna Maria Maiolino, Kishio Suga, Lucio Fontana, Maria Martins, and Sheila Hicks. In addition, the Lisson International Gallery provided works, most notably a room dedicated to the artist Carmen Herrera and photographs from the Opticks series, by Hiroshi Sugimoto. During the Aberto3 exhibition, Alan Chu, Chu Ming's youngest son, celebrates his mother's legacy by presenting furniture of his own and interpretations of Chu's original designs.
Simultaneously, Tomie Ohtake's home-studio, located in Campo Belo, presents an exhibition organized by Paulo Miyada, curator of the Tomie Ohtake Institute. The exhibition includes personal objects, archival materials, and works of art, paying homage to the artist's rich trajectory.
Aberto3 invited contemporary Brazilian artists to create works inspired by Ruy Ohtake's architectural style and the stories of the family that lived in Tomie Ohtake's house-studio. Fabio Miguez produced a large painting in dialogue with the space of the house, while Daniel Senise, Fernanda Galvão, Laura Vinci and Arthur Lescher present specific pieces for the place. Sandra Cinto features paintings with Japanese references, and Maria Klabin created portraits of Tomie and Chu Ming. Other artists such as Adriana Varejão, Beatriz Milhazes and Luiz Roque also present exclusive works. The space will also include works by the artist Torkwase Dyson, who explores human geography and spatial liberation strategies, and unpublished sculptures by Arlene Shechet, currently on display at the Storm King Art Center, New York.
Rodrigo Ohtake, Tomie's grandson, will also present a special limited edition of design pieces published by the ETEL Gallery. This collection will include two pieces by Ruy Ohtake and two original creations by Rodrigo himself.
Founded by Filipe Assis, Aberto is an exhibition platform that celebrates Brazilian art and design inside iconic modernist homes and landmarks, all designed by eminent Brazilian architects. “The concept of Open,” Filipe says, “is rooted in the 1922 Modern Art Week, a fundamental movement that brought together artists, architects, and writers and established the basis for the creative intersection between disciplines. This event inspired our continuous exploration of Brazilian modernism and its relevance in contemporary culture, where art, design, and modern architecture come together,” emphasizes the creator of the platform.
The third edition of Aberto3 will take place from August 11 to September 15, with tickets from R$80.00 to R$30.00, available at Open.art/pt-BR
