Espasso brings Brazilian design to Miami's Shore Club Hotel in a new exhibition

We could never pass up a trip to Brazil, especially if it's by way of Miami during the Floridian city's annual design and art extravagana.

Like so many in the creative community, the New York-based Brazilian furniture gallery Espasso has decamped to tropical climes for the week and it has not come empty-handed.

Espasso is presenting 'Em Trânsito', an exhibition honouring the innovative vibrancy of contemporary Brazilian design. Installed in the all-white, three storey penthouse suite of the iconic Shore Club Hotel in South Beach, the richness of the furniture pieces on display could not be more palpable.

Running for one month, 'Em Trânsito' brings together new mid-century reissues, special limited editions and one-of-a-kind pieces that represent Brazil's cultural mix of European, African and indigenous influences. From Oscar Niemeyer's 'On Desk', which dates from the 1990s and is now being produced for the first time, to Claudia Moreira Salles' 'Concreto Bench', a stylish union of American walnut and concrete that makes its US debut in Miami, treasures lurk around every corner.

One especially poignant highlight is Sérgio Rodrigues' 'Benjamin Chair', the last work created by the legendary designer before his death earlier this year. Named after his grandson, the distinctive Freijó wood armchair is a poetic example of Rodrigues' other famous works. It is being produced in a numbered, limited edition run of 60.

Curated by Espasso's founder Carlos Junqueira, the exhibition also features work from other illustrious designers, including Etel Carmona, Carlos Motta, Zanini de Zanine and Isay Weinfeld. It won't be the only time Weinfeld is involved with the Shore Club either. The architect/designer has signed up to redesign the iconic South Beach hotel. The three-acre beachfront property will be transformed to include a hotel and luxury condominium for HFZ Capital Group. That's one more reason for us to flock back to Miami next year.

 

The show brings together new mid-century reissues, special limited editions and one-of-a-kind pieces that represent Brazil's cultural mix of European, indigenous and African influences. Photography: Justin Namon

 

Curated by Espasso's founder Carlos Junqueira, the exhibition unveils never-seen-before works by the leading names such as Sérgio Rodrigues, Oscar Niemeyer and Claudia Moreira Salles. Pictured in foreground is 'Pindá Chair', by Carlos Motta, 2014. Photography: Justin Namon

 

Claudia Moreira Salles' 'Concreto Bench', 2014, is a stylish union of American walnut and concrete that makes its US debut in Miami. Photography: Justin Namon

 

Oscar Niemeyer's 'Modulo' coffee table is one of several pieces by the designer that are on display

 

Shown on the left is Sérgio Rodrigues' 'Benjamin Chair', the last work that the legendary designer created before his death earlier this year. On the right is his 'Moleca' chair designed in 1963. Photography: Justin Namon