Surrounded by verdant mountains, the remote Brazilian region of Minas Gerais is a world away from the narrow Parisian streets in the Marais; yet the organic creations from Domingos Tótora seem perfectly suited to the white minimalist backdrop of gallery James Paris.
That the Brazilian designer achieves his striking, flawlessly-formed decorative objects exclusively from reclaimed cardboard enhances the contextual divide even further. Here, against the white-walled backdrop (conceived by DAS Studio), Tótora’s elongated vessels, ridged discs and slanted stools could be alternately interpreted as primitive or contemporary - yet are also unquestionably artisanal.
Every piece begins the same way: the cardboard is broken down into small enough pieces to be turned into a pulp. Tótora and his studio team then sculpt the forms by hand, sometimes leaving the texture smooth, other times forming tactile, elaborately repeated reliefs. Like a lo-fi version of firing clay, the works bake in the sun before any last finishing touches. The collection on display reaffirms how such humble material can be coaxed into a variety of finessed surfaces.
The most unexpected of all is a 2.5 metre-long solid bench; its burnt umber hue and crackled, almost granular, appearance could hardly be traced back to a pile of discarded boxes. One of the discs consists of small squares embellished with a dimensional pattern. A striped motif is subtly integrated into the fluted vases.
If there is an arte povera element to the concept, it also represents a deeper desire towards refined, sustainable design. 'He puts it to use rather than to waste,' says Candice Fauchon, who runs James Paris with her partner Paul Viguier, seeking out the best in Brazilian modernism. Tótora’s pieces are available as an open edition by special order, which makes sense given the endless supply of cardboard. 'It’s an approach in perfect harmony with nature,' she adds. It’s a satisfying thought that is reaffirmed by the faintly detectable earthy scent inherent to each piece.
’Anforas’ (in foreground) and ’Banco Terrao’. Every piece begins the same way: the cardboard is broken down into small enough pieces to be turned into a pulp
’Disco Plano Relevo’ (left) and ’Disco Plano Frisos’. Tótora and his studio team then sculpt the forms by hand, either creating a smooth texture or repeated reliefs
’Banco Pardo’, 2015
’Vaso Organico Casca Mod. 4’. Like a lo-fi version of firing clay, the works bake in the sun before any last finishing touches
Detail of ’Anforas’. The collection reaffirms how such humble material can be coaxed into a variety of finessed surfaces
’Vaso Organico Casca Mod. 2’. Tótora’s pieces are available as an open edition by special order
INFORMATION
For more information, visit James Paris’ website
ADDRESS
18-20, Rue de Thorigny
75003 Paris
-
At The Manner, New York has a highly fashionable new living roomThe Manner, a new hopsitality experience by Standard International in the heart of SoHo, triples up as a hotel, private residence, and members’ club
-
First look – Bottega Veneta and Flos release a special edition of the Model 600Gino Sarfatti’s fan favourite from 1966 is born again with Bottega Veneta’s signature treatments gracing its leather base
-
We stepped inside the Stedelijk Museum's newest addition in AmsterdamAmsterdam's Stedelijk Museum has unveiled its latest addition, the brand-new Don Quixote Sculpture Hall by Paul Cournet of Rotterdam creative agency Cloud
-
Architecture, sculpture and materials: female Lithuanian artists are celebrated in NîmesThe Carré d'Art in Nîmes, France, spotlights the work of Aleksandra Kasuba and Marija Olšauskaitė, as part of a nationwide celebration of Lithuanian culture
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been doing this weekInvesting in quality knitwear, scouting a very special pair of earrings and dining with strangers are just some of the things keeping the Wallpaper* team occupied this week
-
Tom Wesselmann’s enduring influence on pop art goes under the spotlight in Paris‘Pop Forever, Tom Wesselmann &...’ is on view at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris until 24 February 2025
-
Miu Miu’s Women’s Tales film series comes to life for Art Basel ParisIn ‘Tales & Tellers’, interdisciplinary artist Goshka Macuga brings Miu Miu’s Women’s Tales film series for Art Basel Paris to life for the public programme
-
Art Basel returns to Paris: here is everything to see and doArt Basel Paris 2024 (18 - 20 October 2024) returns, opening at the newly renovated Grand Palais
-
Elmgreen & Dragset explore contemporary masculinity in ParisWe visit Elmgreen & Dragset at their Berlin studio ahead of new exhibition ‘L’Addition’ at Paris’ Musée d’Orsay, a subversive take on the classical form
-
Don’t miss Henri Matisse and Ellsworth Kelly at Fondation Louis VuittonFondation Louis Vuitton present a series of works by Matisse and Kelly, celebrating the influence they had on the trajectory of contemporary art
-
‘Who has not dreamed of seeing what the eye cannot grasp?’: Rencontres d’Arles comes to the south of FranceLes Rencontres d’Arles 2024 presents over 40 exhibitions and nearly 200 artists, and includes the latest iteration of the BMW Art Makers programme
