Barrolândia Collection: clay bricks from Casa Veredas are launched at Abup

Two thousand and five hundred clay bricks — each with a different design — filled the complex and unforgettable structure of Casa Veredas Simonetto , a project by Gabriel Fernandes for CASACOR São Paulo 2024. Visitors to the exhibition were certainly moved by the "Barrolândia" developed by the female artisans of the Maria do Barro Institute , and will now be able to appreciate the pieces again at Abup , a decoration fair that runs until August 15 at Pro Magno, a space located in Jardim das Laranjeiras, in São Paulo . The Barrolândia Collection was launched by Casa Bonita Decor and is the result of a partnership between Gabriel and the organization's artisans: together, they developed more than a thousand mini sculptures in the shape of bricks for the latest edition of CASACOR São Paulo , representing various types of houses in Brazilian favelas . "For me, it is a great thrill to see, for the first time and after so many years, our work being expanded throughout Brazil," says Idalete Silva, president of the Maria do Barro Institute. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-nXf5OxRxw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading As Gabriel explains, the woodwork grid made of clay bricks is the starting point for Casa Veredas Simonetto, and is responsible for shifting the focus away from the erudite and redirecting attention to popular design . "It is extremely important that we Brazilians have confidence that there is a deep Brazil that can be accessed through craftsmanship and through the popular point of view," says the architect. Gabriel's contact with the community of artisans happened when the architect was working on his project to document Brazilian homes, called "Os Brasis que vi", in the post-pandemic period. At that time, the institute was facing social and financial difficulties and, since then, Gabriel has dedicated himself to carrying out capsule works with the women of the community: " Barrolândia " was the latest of them, which was initially a collection of lampshades and sculptures.

However, Gabriel emphasizes that it was not he who brought visibility to the work of the women at the Institute: it was a two-way street. "In fact, these women brought the visibility that my work needed so that I could continue doing what I do. And at Abup, Casa Bonita was the spokesperson for the store owners," says the professional.

ABUP Decor Show Service

Date: August 12th to 15th, 2024 Location: PRO MAGNO Events Center. Prof. Ida Kolb Avenue, 513, Orange Garden / São Paulo- SP Opening hours: From August 12th to 14th, from 10am to 7pm August 15th, from 10am to 5pm