Campana Brothers at Vitra Design Museum

The video is about an exhibition of the work of brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana which was held at the Vitra Design Museum in May 2009. The exhibition showcases pieces from the latest to the very early beginning of their career even before their collaboration as designers.

Fernando Campana was trained as an architect while his brother, Humberto was trained as a lawyer, who after his studies went to northern Brazil and decided whether he should become an Indian and live like an Indian or whether he would prefer to become an artist. The object out of sea shells that was created by Humberto Campana was from the sea shells he collected from along the beaches of Brazil. Their work that spans over decades of artistic collaboration shows the spectrum of their works which rangers from jewellery to fashion to furniture and last but not least, pure artistic sculptures.

The exhibition also strived to showcase the difference between the work of Fernando Campana and that of his brothers Humberto Campana, in relation to each individual’s character and of their approach to design. As they both are very different as personalities, it is clear their choices in materials are very different too. The material is infact the subject which is in the foreground of their work. The exhibition explains the work of the two brothers as designers, through the approach and use of the materials for their designs.

Their artistic techniques, point of views and approach to their work is strongly influenced by social realism in the 1920s, cubism, pop art and even from action art. They both are influenced by different forms of art. Humberto is much more influenced towards sculptured art where as Fernando is more influenced towards a more conceptual approach to art and design.

The functionality of many of the objects on display is not so important than the image they portrait. The whole concept of the exhibition was to present the different approaches to art and design which were in nine different groups.

Their work method is strongly influenced by organic plants to animals, not to mention very heavily Brazilian influenced. They get plenty of inspiration from nature, from the natural jungles to the urban jungles such as the city of Rio De Janeiro.

All In all, the exhibition was a very interesting look at two unbelievably talented designers who thrive on their different approaches to art and design.