Design

Ronald Sasson presents Cinema Novo, the eco-friendly collection that pays homage to nature and the Brazilian cinema movement

RONALD SASSON in his laboratory in Gramado
Ronald Sasson presents Cinema Novo, the eco-friendly collection that pays homage to nature and the Brazilian cinema movement it has been modified: 2021-06-20 di fernacampanelli

Cinema Novo - Cinema Nuovo - was a Brazilian cinema movement of renewal in the 50s and 60s as daring as it was closely linked to the country's origins. Directors Glauber Rocha and Nelson Pereira dos Santos are the founders of this “new cinema” which is sometimes cruel and frank, but which reveals the real Brazil. A country where craftsmanship and nature prove to be strengths and genius. And it is exactly this genuine perception that inspired designer Ronald Sasson to design a collection that celebrates this cultural artistic revolution in a sustainable way.

"I wanted to enhance the use of wood and our" traditional marcenaria "- wooden carpentry - which is, among other things, a fundamental part of the extraordinary aesthetics of the furniture of the masters of Brazilian modernism such as Sergio Rodrigues and Jorge Zalszupin", says the Brazilian, born in the metropolis of Curitiba, who 12 years ago decided to move to Gramado, a small city in southern Brazil.

In his laboratory in the middle of a forest, the designer devotes himself to the search for new "sustainable" materials and techniques and to create original pieces for well-known Brazilian and international clients. "In this place, I can also closely monitor the production of my products since most of the companies in the sector are located in the South of the country", adds the Brazilian who, even with the pandemic, managed to present his eco-friendly collection Cinema Novo created expressly for the well-known galleries Espasso, in NY, Los Angeles, Miami and London and Herança Cultural, in São Paulo, Brazil .

Cinema Novo pieces

La armchair, panca and three low living room tables they are made of wood, concrete and 100% linen upholstery. “We used wood from Rubber tree Amazon that comes from trees that have completed the latex production cycle and have been cut after 30 years of life to make way for new seedlings ", explains Sasson who, like his colleague Zanini de Zanine, is one of the supporters of the use of this alternative material. “It's a light-toned forest product. It is beautiful and also resistant, durable and ecologically sustainable ".

the poltrona with swivel base Aruanda is characterized by an external structure in laminated plywood and solid seringueira wood finish. The upholstery is in natural fabric - 100% linen - which was also used for the seat of the “Cinco Vezes Favela” bench. "The names of the furniture are homages to the works of Cinema Novo and its directors", he says. “For this collection I wanted to present furniture by simple shapes and clean lines. They are versatile and also minimalist ".

The good workability characteristics (gluing, seaming and drilling) of the seringueira wood allowed the designer to “play” with the shapes. Two of the tables they are rectangular while the round version has been called “Vidas Secas”, a tribute to the iconic film directed by Nelson Pereira dos Santos, in 1963. “It is a hard, concrete work and deals with the social and moral dimension of the Brazilian man. For this reason, I wanted to use autoclaved aerated concrete to compose this piece. Despite being a sturdy material it is very light ”.
For Glauber Rocha, the father of New Cinema, Ronald Sasson created a playful table. “He was an extraordinary and brilliant man and for this reason I decided to conceive a piece that was almost a toy for children. The wooden pieces fit perfectly together composing a mobile playground bridge ".

The pieces are on sale at the Espasso gallery site in London. Prices on request.

Bench "Cinco Vezes Favela".
Armchair with swivel base “Aruanda".
Round table "Vidas Secas".
“Glauber Rocha” table.
Low rectangular living room table "Cinco Vezes Favela".

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