On May 24th, Bottega Veneta will celebrate Brazilian culture by hosting a one-of-a-kind artistic program at Lina Bo Bardi’s Casa de Vidro (Glass House) in Sao Paulo. The event will take place on the 24th.
The first chapter of the brand’s cultural exchange series, “The Square,” debuted in Dubai in 2022, and was then followed by a second installation in Tokyo. “The Square” So Paulo (Brazil) is the most recent instalment in the series. The series is directed creatively by Matthieu Blazy, and it brings together artists, guests, and the general public in immersive, site-specific events that spark curiosity and dialogue and champion the values of craft, creativity, and self-expression that are held by Bottega Veneta.
“Casa de Vidro is one of my favorite places. It’s a real inspiration to meet here with artists from across generations, across disciplines, and across Brazil to celebrate Lina Bo Bardi’s legacy and the richness of Brazilian culture. Bottega Veneta is all about timeless style. With The Square São Paulo, we recognize how Lina’s ideas and aesthetics resonate to this day, always reminding us of the transformative power of design and culture,” shares Matthieu Blazy the Creative Director of Bottega Veneta
The celebration of Bottega Veneta’s ten-year milestone in Brazil will take place in “The Square” in Sao Paulo. The event, which was curated by Mari Stockler, moves beyond the custom square constructions of Dubai and Tokyo and instead takes place in the square form within the lush environment of Casa de Vidro, a hallmark of Brazilian modernism. During the course of the 11-day event, artists and artworks from all over Brazil will come together to celebrate Brazilian creativity in all of its various manifestations, pay tribute to the legacy of Bo Bardi, who was born in Italy, and investigate the ways in which she interacted with Brazilian culture.
Lina Bo Bardi Early Days
Lina Bo Bardi, born Achillina Bo in 1914, was a pioneering architect whose innovative designs and profound understanding of the relationship between architecture, culture, and society continue to influence the field to this day. Born in Rome, Italy, Bo Bardi’s early days were marked by her unwavering passion for art and design, which led her on a remarkable journey across continents and cultures.
Lina Bo Bardi‘s architectural journey began in Italy, where she studied architecture at the University of Rome. During her formative years, she became deeply influenced by the modernist movement, particularly the works of architects such as Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In the late 1930s, Bo Bardi moved to Milan, a city known for its vibrant cultural scene and progressive architectural discourse.
Lina Bo Bardi and Milano
Milano (Italy) played a pivotal role in Bo Bardi’s career, as it was here that she established herself as an architect and began to contribute to the architectural discourse of the time. She worked at Studio Ponti-Fornaroli-Rosselli, an influential architecture firm, where she collaborated with notable architects such as Gio Ponti. During this period, Bo Bardi also became actively involved in the Italian Communist Party and participated in various cultural and political movements.
However, the turbulent political climate in Italy during World War II prompted Bo Bardi to seek new horizons. In 1946, she relocated to Brazil, a decision that would shape the trajectory of her career and leave an indelible mark on the architectural landscape of the country.
Lina Bo Bardi in Brazil
Upon her arrival in Brazil, Bo Bardi was captivated by the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the country. She believed in an architecture that celebrated the local context and embraced the socio-cultural realities of its inhabitants. One of her most iconic works, the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), exemplifies this philosophy. Completed in 1968, the MASP is a striking glass-and-concrete structure that hovers above the ground, creating a public space beneath it. The museum not only houses a significant art collection but also serves as a social hub for the city, fostering a sense of community and engagement.
Bo Bardi’s other notable projects in Brazil include the SESC Pompeia, a cultural and recreational centre in São Paulo, and the Casa de Vidro (Glass House) now taking part in “The Square” by Bottega Veneta, her own residence in the same city. These projects showcase her ability to integrate architecture with nature, create dynamic and flexible spaces, and employ local materials and construction techniques.
While Bo Bardi made Brazil her home and dedicated much of her career to the country, she always maintained a strong connection to her Italian roots. Her designs often incorporated elements inspired by Italian architecture and design principles. Additionally, Bo Bardi’s belief in the transformative power of architecture and her commitment to social issues were deeply rooted in her Italian upbringing and her experiences during the war.
Lina’s Legacy
Lina Bo Bardi’s legacy extends far beyond the physical structures she created. Her holistic approach to architecture, which encompassed social, cultural, and environmental aspects, challenged the traditional notions of the discipline. She believed that architecture should serve people and their needs, rather than being a mere expression of ego or status. Bo Bardi’s emphasis on community engagement and her commitment to creating inclusive spaces have had a profound influence on subsequent generations of architects.
Today, Lina Bo Bardi is revered as one of the most important architects of the 20th century. Her works continue to inspire architects and designers worldwide, and her ideas on the role of architecture in society remain as relevant as ever. Bo Bardi’s ability to bridge cultures, her deep understanding of the power of space, and her unwavering dedication to social cause
More About The Square
The first chapter of the brand’s cultural exchange series, “The Square,” debuted in Dubai in 2022, and was then followed by a second installation in Tokyo. “The Square” Sao Paulo is the most recent installment in the series. The series, which is directed creatively by Matthieu Blazy and brings together artists, visitors, and the general public in engaging, site-specific events, aims to spark curiosity and dialogue while championing the Bottega Veneta ideals of craftsmanship, innovation, and individual expression.
The celebration of Bottega Veneta’s ten-year milestone in Brazil will take place in “The Square” in Sao Paulo. The event, which was curated by Mari Stockler, moves beyond the custom square constructions of Dubai and Tokyo and instead takes place in the square form within the lush environment of Casa de Vidro, a hallmark of Brazilian modernism. During the course of the 11-day event, artists and artworks from all over Brazil will come together to celebrate Brazilian creativity in all of its various manifestations, pay tribute to the legacy of Bo Bardi, who was born in Italy, and investigate the ways in which she interacted with Brazilian culture.
The event is organized in such a way that it revolves around four different themed paths that are connected to time, geometry and spirituality, Brazilian counterculture, and the roots of Bossa Nova. On the opening day, there will be an artist discussion at the end of each of the pathways, which will take guests on a unique walk through the house and garden.
Participating talents in “The Square” São Paulo include Arnaldo Antunes, Ibã Salles, Vivian Caccuri, Luiz Zerbini, Carlito Carvalhosa, Rosana Paulino, Alaíde Costa, Lenora de Barros, Cristiano Lenhardt, Leda Catunda, Ricardo Aleixo, and João Camarero.
In addition to Bo Bardi’s personal work, writings, and original furnishings stored at Casa de Vidro, the event will exhibit works by Lygia Pape, Hélio Oiticica, Augusto de Campos, Mestre Guarany, and Surubim Feliciano da Paixo. In a limited-edition boxed set, four novels that are based on “The Square”‘s four different pathways will be produced.
“From the modernist project to her embrace of the power of Brazilian popular culture and collaboration with the counterculture, Lina challenged norms and developed ideas that crossed chronological time like arrows and are, today, an essential perspective of Brazilian identity. With The Square São Paulo, we dive into her revolutionary thinking. The event is designed as a dialogue. We provoke time by contrasting Lina’s objects with works by modern and contemporary artists in an exchange between past, present, and possible futures.” shares Curator Mari Stockler.
The Square São Paulo opens on 24th May and will be open to the public from 27th May
to 3rd June.
