Description/
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
Geraldo de Barros
Designer
Date/
1956
Material/
Rosewood and painted steel
Dimension/
40.0 x 64.0 x 93.0 cm (15.7 x 25.2 x 36.6 in)
Style/
Historic
Heritage/
Brazil
Ships from/
Barcelona
