Ike Kligerman Barkley Architects
Chandelier
CLIENT: Ike Kligerman Barkley Architects
DESIGNER: Domingos Tótora
LOCATION: Maria Da Fé, Brazil
DATE: 2014-2015
TOUCH was commissioned to coordinate all aspects of design & product development to create a new chandelier made of recycled cardboard for the architecture firm Ike Kligerman Barkley based in New York. TOUCH worked with our long time collaborator Domingos Tótora and his team of artisans in the quaint city of Maria da Fé, Brazil to bring the idea into reality.
We worked closely with our client in the concept and design as well as with Mr. Tótora in the development process. The idea was to allow the designer to follow concept presented by TOUCH but also allow him to use his creativity, materials and techniques to bring a beautiful light to client’s home.
Impact
Our client was extremely happy with the result and TOUCH continues to help our partners designers and artisans to scale up.
CLIENT: Ike Kligerman Barkley Architects
ARTIST: Feliciano Lana • Tukano tribe
PARTNER: ISA (Social and Environmental Institute)
LOCATION: São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazon, Brazil
DATE: 2015 - 2016
TOUCH was commissioned to coordinate all aspects of product development and logistic to create an art piece inspired on the facades of the traditional Maloca longhouses (house of knowledge) of the indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon.
We worked directly with non-profit ISA (Social and Environmental Institute) to find an artist of Desano ethnicity and a Maloca longhouse to use the wood from the facade to create the artwork. After a long search into the rain forest, ISA found out that the Maloca longhouse of Master Luis Laureano Baniwa, located in the Itacoatiara Mirim community in the city of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazon, needed renovation and selling the walls would help them to pay for the much needed renovation.
To paint the Maloca panel, the acclaimed local artist Feliciano Lana used acrylic paint, while respecting the colors and shades of dyes and pigments traditionally used in the region. The graphics used by Feliciano to paint the panel, reproduced the facade of a longhouse. They represent elements and important symbols of cosmology for the indigenous peoples of the upper Rio Negro, especially the peoples of the Tukano linguistic family, the ethnic group of the artist. According to Feliciano himself, the designs are also inspired by the visions caused by Caapi intake during ceremonial dances.
Outcome
Our client loved the result, as well as be part of the whole process, helping the community and having at his home a beautiful piece of history from the Amazon.
Our founder, Zoë Melo traveled to the Amazon to work closely with all parties and make sure all logistics were done right.