Geraldo de Barros

This telephone bench sourced from a private collection in Brazil and certified by Fabiana de Barros daughter of Geraldo de Barros was manufactured in 1956 by Geraldo de Barros’ most important venture as a furniture designer. In 1954 de Barros founded Unilabor, a co-operative furniture manufacturer that became a mechanism of modernization from below.

Unilabor was unity in work and a unity through work. A self-managed factory was run by the workers, it was a system of production that aimed to unify not only form and function, but also a living community and production processes. The discreet beauty of Unilabor furniture pieces is certainly informed by this balance of forces. In its context, Unilabor became a social model. It was a working environment perceived as healthy. It was created to be less a company, more a community.

Literature
Unilabor, by Mauro Claro. Brasil, 2004. Senac SP; Arquitetura e Urbanis- mo edition (2004) Pg 147.

Provenance
Private collection, Sao Paulo

Exhibitions
Side Gallery, Barcelona, Unilabor: A terceira Via, Apr 19 2018 – Jul 12 2018
Opelvillen Rüsselsheim, Frankfurt, Unilabor, Möbel und Fotografien, Sep 25 2019 – Jan 12 2020

Rosewood and painted steel.