08/11/2023, 09:38 Humberto Campana's extraordinary grass cabinet takes centre stage at Æquō, Mumbai | Architectural Digest India https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/humberto-campanas-extraordinary-grass-cabinet-takes-centre-stage-at-aequo-mumbai-florence-louisy-tarini-jindal-handa/ 1/11 C U LT U R E Humberto Campana's extraordinary grass cabinet takes centre stage at Æqu ō , Mumbai Humberto Campana, co-founder of the eponymous Brazilian design studio, unveils a new show at Æqu ō that celebrates raw materials and traditional Indian craftsmanship. By Nuriyah Johar 3 November 2023 08/11/2023, 09:38 Humberto Campana's extraordinary grass cabinet takes centre stage at Æquō, Mumbai | Architectural Digest India https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/humberto-campanas-extraordinary-grass-cabinet-takes-centre-stage-at-aequo-mumbai-florence-louisy-tarini-jindal-handa/ 2/11 Surreal, experimental, and deeply rooted in Brazilian traditions, Estúdio Campana has revolutionized furniture design for nearly four decades now. Every limited edition collection, every creative collaboration has challenged traditional design paradigms, sparking intrigue at design fairs and exhibitions across the globe. Brothers Humberto Campana and the late Fernando Campana were pioneers of disruptive design, and the studio, now headed by the former, continues to carry forward their legacy of reinterpreting craft and investigating new possibilities within everyday materials. Æqu ō Diesel Engine Claims | Sponsored No Joke - Diesel Owners Surprised By How Much Compensation They May Get Read Next Story 08/11/2023, 09:38 Humberto Campana's extraordinary grass cabinet takes centre stage at Æquō, Mumbai | Architectural Digest India https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/humberto-campanas-extraordinary-grass-cabinet-takes-centre-stage-at-aequo-mumbai-florence-louisy-tarini-jindal-handa/ 3/11 Diesel Engine Claims | Sponsored No Joke - Diesel Owners Surprised By How Much Compensation They May Get Read Next Story 08/11/2023, 09:38 Humberto Campana's extraordinary grass cabinet takes centre stage at Æquō, Mumbai | Architectural Digest India https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/humberto-campanas-extraordinary-grass-cabinet-takes-centre-stage-at-aequo-mumbai-florence-louisy-tarini-jindal-handa/ 4/11 Humberto Campana (L) and Florence Louisy (R). Manan Sheth It was only a matter of time, then, that Estudio Campana ventured east, to the deep wellsprings of Indian craftsmanship. In collaboration with Æqu ō , India's first collectible design gallery, Humberto Campana delves into the history of India's techniques and raw materials for an extraordinary show titled Atuxuá. Nestled in the quiet bylanes of Colaba, Mumbai Æqu ō has established itself over the past two years with a commitment to celebrating India's rich craft heritage. The gallery's ambitious vision, brought to life by founder Tarini Jindal Handa and creative director Florence Louisy, seeks out collaborative ventures with both Indian and international designers. Its association with Estúdio Campana is yet another feather in its cap, and the parallels between India and Brazil aren’t lost on Humberto. “From the importance of the handmade to research for materials, both countries are different but we cross in a way of passion, and this piece is a sacred hybrid between Brazil and India,” he says. Diesel Engine Claims | Sponsored No Joke - Diesel Owners Surprised By How Much Compensation They May Get Read Next Story 08/11/2023, 09:38 Humberto Campana's extraordinary grass cabinet takes centre stage at Æquō, Mumbai | Architectural Digest India https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/humberto-campanas-extraordinary-grass-cabinet-takes-centre-stage-at-aequo-mumbai-florence-louisy-tarini-jindal-handa/ 5/11 Diesel Engine Claims | Sponsored No Joke - Diesel Owners Surprised By How Much Compensation They May Get Read Next Story 08/11/2023, 09:38 Humberto Campana's extraordinary grass cabinet takes centre stage at Æquō, Mumbai | Architectural Digest India https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/humberto-campanas-extraordinary-grass-cabinet-takes-centre-stage-at-aequo-mumbai-florence-louisy-tarini-jindal-handa/ 6/11 A field of Sabai grass at Æqu ō adds an immersive insight into India's natural topography. Æqu ō In his collaboration with Æqu ō , the underlying principle remains the same: to tell stories through design. This time, however, the stories traverse the vibrant pastoral landscapes of India. Named after the intricate Brazilian masks, the Atuxuá exhibition is a homage to Sabai grass - a native Indian fibre. The merging of history and avant- garde design is evident in the centrepiece: a unique cabinet coated in Sabai grass, inspired by India's natural topography. Also read: The story behind Amrita Sher-Gil's record-breaking INR 61.80 Cr painting Diesel Engine Claims | Sponsored No Joke - Diesel Owners Surprised By How Much Compensation They May Get Read Next Story 08/11/2023, 09:38 Humberto Campana's extraordinary grass cabinet takes centre stage at Æquō, Mumbai | Architectural Digest India https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/humberto-campanas-extraordinary-grass-cabinet-takes-centre-stage-at-aequo-mumbai-florence-louisy-tarini-jindal-handa/ 7/11 Diesel Engine Claims | Sponsored No Joke - Diesel Owners Surprised By How Much Compensation They May Get Read Next Story 08/11/2023, 09:38 Humberto Campana's extraordinary grass cabinet takes centre stage at Æquō, Mumbai | Architectural Digest India https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/humberto-campanas-extraordinary-grass-cabinet-takes-centre-stage-at-aequo-mumbai-florence-louisy-tarini-jindal-handa/ 8/11 The cabinet is coated in Sabai grass and meticulously tied together with brass wires as delicate as the fibre itself. Æqu ō The remarkable cabinet, prominently staged within a field of grass is meticulously tied together with brass wires as delicate as the fibre itself, mirroring the traditional technique used to bundle grass for trade. Weeks were spent hand-sewing each blade of grass onto a bamboo lattice to recreate the impressive mass that Sabai grass represents during its harvest. A brass structure, conceived in Jaipur with Æqu ō 's collaborator, Frozen Music, underpins this masterpiece. "For this venture, my focus was raw materials and traditional Indian craft,” says Humberto. “Florence (Louisy) worked at my workshop in Brazil 10 years ago. She's like an alter ego of mine, and she took care of the entire production in India. The intricacy of the Sabai grass and the metalwork represents a parallel between the spirituality, rituals, and religious syncretism we can find both in India and Brazil.” From Humberto Campana's research trip to Karnataka. Æqu ō The legacy of the Campana brothers goes beyond designing furniture. Humberto and the late Fernando's uncanny ability to transform the mundane sights of Brazilian life into exceptional, statement-making furniture pieces has been their hallmark. Diesel Engine Claims | Sponsored No Joke - Diesel Owners Surprised By How Much Compensation They May Get Read Next Story 08/11/2023, 09:38 Humberto Campana's extraordinary grass cabinet takes centre stage at Æquō, Mumbai | Architectural Digest India https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/humberto-campanas-extraordinary-grass-cabinet-takes-centre-stage-at-aequo-mumbai-florence-louisy-tarini-jindal-handa/ 9/11 Creations like the iconic Favela chair, reminiscent of local neighbourhood constructions, the “Pirarucu” armchair with its Amazonian fish scale leather, and the celebrated Plush chair mirroring Sao Paulo’s street plush toy vendors, are just a few examples. Each piece is not only an ode to Brazil but also a storyteller, recounting narratives from the land they hail from. To sum it up in Humberto’s words, "You create beauty with nobility.” The union between Æqu ō and Estúdio Campana is ultimately a testament to the power of design when it's rooted in heritage yet fearlessly forward-looking. Also read: A new exhibition by DAG offers a rare glimpse of Delhi's Durbars during the British Raj READ MORE A R C H I T E C T U R E A N D D E S I G N By Prasad Ramamurthy L I F E S T Y L E By Devyani Jayakar C U LT U R E By Alisha Lad Photography by Sarang Gupta Meet the talent pushing the envelope in Ladakh’s creative landscape In nity rooms, walking tours, and glass-blowing : A guide to Mumbai's most unique experiences InOrdinary’s display at Subko, Bandra transforms mundane cups into extraordinary collectibles Diesel Engine Claims | Sponsored No Joke - Diesel Owners Surprised By How Much Compensation They May Get Read Next Story