Au début des seventies, à l'heure du tout venant et de la consommation de masse aux États Unis, l'architecte et designer brésilien Sergio Rodrigues a eu le bon goût de réinvestir la production de son pays... alors qu'on meublait étrangement les édifices révolutionnaire d'Oscar Niemeyer avec des meubles de style colonial. Durant presque cinquante ans, il conçoit du mobilier avant tout confortable, sans négliger l'esthétique. Fondateur du fourre-tout Oca en 1956 (manufacture/studio/galerie d'art/showroom/cabinet d'architecte...), il fait produire ses meubles au Brésil, utilisant des matériaux locaux en privilégiant avant tout le bois. Du slow design en somme.Le hic, c'est qu'alors que ses meubles s'achetaient facilement sur le marché américain (notamment aux vente de Wright), on avait plus de mal à s'en procurer en Europe. C'est chose oubliée grâce à ClassiCon, qui réedite aujourd'hui une (petite) partie de ses nombreuses (environ 1200) réalisations : quelques chaises et fauteuils, et surtout... Mole.
Certains dirons que ce fauteuil est moche, sans doute; qu'il ressemble à son créateur, avec sa forme amplifiée et ses larges bras dodus, peut être. D'autres enfin avancerons qu'il ferait un parfait remplaçant à la lounge chair d'Eames, sûrement. Mais ce qui est certains, c'est qu'en plus d'être fabriqué main avec du bois d'eucalyptus et du cuir souple et d'avoir un prix plus que raisonnable, Mole est juste archi-confortable. Le refuge idéal après une dure journée de travail.
In the early 70's at the time of massive U.S. consumerism that over took all, the Brazilian architect and designer Sergio Rodrigues reinvested with style in local production in his country....at that period, strange colonial style furniture invaded the revolutionary buildings of Oscar Niemeyer. Rodrigues built mostly comfortable yet beautiful furniture lasting almost fifty years. He founded the "put everything in" "Oca" in 1956 in his manufacture/studio/art gallery/show room/ architect office and got his furniture made in Brazil using local materials and mostly selecting wood. Actually very "slow design".
However, even though his furniture was easily purchased and available in the american market (especially at Wright's sale), it was not that easy to acquire a purchase in Europe. It is at last possible due to ClassiCon, with their re-editions of a small part of the many (about 1200) works; chairs, armchairs and especially....the "Mole".
Some might argue that the "Mole" chair is ugly, maybe, but it ressembles its creator with its ample form and big fat arms. Others might argue that it could perfectly replace Eames 's lounge chair, most probably. But in any case, what is certain, is that apart from being man-made out of eucalyptus wood and supple leather, it has a more than reasonable price tag. Mole is quite simply very comforable. An ideal refuge after a long hard day's work, just like a big hug!
However, even though his furniture was easily purchased and available in the american market (especially at Wright's sale), it was not that easy to acquire a purchase in Europe. It is at last possible due to ClassiCon, with their re-editions of a small part of the many (about 1200) works; chairs, armchairs and especially....the "Mole".
Some might argue that the "Mole" chair is ugly, maybe, but it ressembles its creator with its ample form and big fat arms. Others might argue that it could perfectly replace Eames 's lounge chair, most probably. But in any case, what is certain, is that apart from being man-made out of eucalyptus wood and supple leather, it has a more than reasonable price tag. Mole is quite simply very comforable. An ideal refuge after a long hard day's work, just like a big hug!
