Art in Architecture and Interiors

Art and Architecture and Interiors intertwine and are as much a part of each other as the grape is of the wine. Many believe that Art comes as a form of inspiration or just to beautify an architectural or interior project. But architecture by itself is an art. By the way, according to the controversial “Manifesto of the Seven Arts”, written at the beginning of the 20th century by the Italian Riccioto Canudo, Architecture is the very first classical art, even before the sculptures, paintings, music and literature, as recalled by Alex Colontonio.

the journalist, Writer, critic and art director responsible for works such as POP-SE magazine and Decornautas content channel talked about influences, design, culture and passed on his vision of those who consider Art just an accessory.

With a solid career in the Brazilian publishing market focused on architecture, decoration and design, Alex is also a reference in online content due to his vast knowledge and years as art director of major magazines.

Art influencing architectural projects

for allex, Art and Architecture are inseparable from each other, as expression, idealization, materialization. He recalls the "Manifesto of the Seven Arts" and agrees that it is essentially about shelter, of the art of projecting the space that the other will occupy – and developing their most elementary activities there, how to eat, to sleep, amar, live - going even further, of the most human of all arts. The critic believes that each and every narrative, from philosophy to poetry, from music to plastic arts, can - and should - stimulate, to inspire, incite architectural gesture, long before the complex technical knowledge it demands. "We are a set of everything we see, we live, sorry, we experience or aspire to be. In this case, as well summarized Oscar Niemeyer, “architecture is a breath”. And the breath comes from the art", full.

Bauhaus Art School in Dessau Germany

Works of art can also be the starting point of an architectural project. Alex is adamant that they can, were and will continue to be. “Just look at the Bauhaus, the german art school that (re)determined the direction of architecture in the world. Now rewind the tape a few centuries. It is a reciprocal relationship in both ways.. From Classicism to Realism, from Symbolism to Modernism, great artists appropriated architecture as a landscape in their paintings, today converted into unique historical records of what often no longer exists. Since countless buildings have given way to the ruins of war or time. I believe that, historically, Mondrian is the artist who most boosted architecture, at different times, schools and scales. But you could list hundreds of other notorious cases", it says.

He exemplifies with Frank Gehry's design for his own home from 1978, as well as the Vitra Design Museum, of 1989, that translate the collage design of Salvador Dali's Surrealist Apartment to built structures.

The influences on Brazilian architecture

"Obviously that, on account of colonization, we inherited a lot from Portuguese architecture. But without urban planning, growing wildly, we ended up becoming a great pastiche between pseudo-futuristic buildings and amazing neoclassical buildings. But the bright side is rewarded, according to Alex, is that our modernist identity, native to the Le Corbusier fountain, values ​​a gesture much more disruptive than any traditional stylistic school. “Even surrealism fuels the most cunning bars. And since we're sliding through it, The sinuous shapes of Brasília that represent a good part of our modernist legacy come to mind.. In my opinion, everything, simply EVERYTHING, can be the starting point of a drawing".

Dawn Palace, Brasilia

Art is not an accessory, is what makes you feel good"

The decornaut has a very critical view of those who see art as a mere accessory. "I don't want to label anything or create controversy. But art is not accessory and cannot be vulgarized. Art needs to be seen as something that makes you feel good, to tell you something and act as a connection window to itself". For him, there is no specific formula for classifying a décor as “artsy” from utilities, unless you are a collector and have a very focused interest in it, betting on copyrighted pieces, serial, whose production processes start from a different scale of concept or execution technique. "Before they judge me, I have nothing against mass production, instead: I am an enthusiast of access and democratization of art. It has been some time since the industry assumed its relationship with it and was often judged, sentenced and canceled for it", stands out.

Art is art as long as it is not a copy

for the journalist, if you are not a collector, an investor, an initiate or a patron, it's needed, first of all, completely let go of the idea that art is only valid when marked by a large gallery, marchand, fair or something. "Art is expression, passion, emotion, sensitivity, feeling. It has to be nice for you who are going to live with her!”. Of course, on the trading floor of capitalist society, art hit stratospheric market value, becoming, inclusive, a safe investment. "I'm not particularly prejudiced about anything - as long as it's not a copy, evident, and not rape anyone's intellectual property in these times of usurpation. To the friends, I recommend pictures of young artists, more affordable, prints and so on.”

Art and personality of Interior Design

Colontonio defines interior design as an extension of the architectural shell, imagined to support our needs, longings and desires that unfold from the idea of ​​welcoming, coziness, rest, meeting, confraternization, reflection, study, fun. Consequently, it overflows with the same principles of occupation/housing outlined by architecture as well as a stylistic trait, manifestation of taste, and for the structural/organizational program itself. needs to be comfortable, ergonomic, plastic and, consequently, inspiring. “Again evoking our modernist master, he needs to breathe art. If not, choke, is sterile, perishable, innocuous", reflects.

Keeping the proper proportions and their respective values, since we are talking about a much more expensive consumer good – no one changes the sofa like someone changes clothes –, decor is a form of expression as legitimate as fashion. Our space says a lot about who we are. There are printed our personal choices, derived from our investments or opportunities. We cannot always buy what we dream of and we are forced to draw up a plan B, C or D. The important thing is to reinforce here that, among all these choices, art cannot be reduced to a mere accessory.

Crafts & local art in architecture & interiors

"As uncultured as denying our craftsmanship is combining sofa with cushion and rug!”, exclaims. to the expert, Brazilians who live in large cities deny, renegades and denies regional crafts again out of sheer ignorance, colonialism. "I can't think of anything more tacky than exchanging these legitimate gems of our culture for fake replicas of the Warriors of Xian or tribal statues we see in gringo magazines".

Ceramics from Vale do Jequitinhonha

From the ceramics of Vale do Jequitinhonha to the spectacular golden grass basketwork of Jalapão, passing through riverside communities, indigenous people and maroons, we have one of the most spectacular crafts on the planet. A democratic investment, that values ​​our roots and fills life with beauty. Brazilian handicraft is the coolest thing. "But, turning up the volume even more, besides crafts, Brazilian Popular Art is a separate chapter. What can be more contemporary – and devastating – than a Véio sculpture?”, question.

Art, architecture and the decornauts

The Decornautas are known to be out of the ordinary and love the color contrast.. This is part of the artistic inspirations of André Rodrigues and Allex Colontonio, the duo behind the Decornautas Design House phenomenon, located in Sao Paulo. "What you call 'getting out of the commons' is the backbone of our work, of what we stand for as journalists and art directors, which is a little more character in architecture, at home and in life. André Rodrigues and I bet on color as a flag of freedom because color is expression, emotion, temperature. The current incarnation of our living is unlikely: red and yellow, the same colors used by the most blockbuster fast bard on the planet, o McDonald’s! We are close friends with some of the most respected architects in the country and they were unanimous in saying 'don't do this!’, because we did and we love it”.

The colors were inspired by plastic arts and architecture – in the work “Desvios para o Vermelho” by Cildo Meirelles, and in the Mexican architect Legorreta. Everything they do comes from their artistic references, but many times, as mentioned above, a poem or a song can inspire as much as a painting.

“Ah, a detail: the architects, even if upset, loved the Ronald McDonald result of the room!”, said, to laughs.

The definition of the great Ferreira Gullar summarizes what Art is for Allex Colontonio: "Art exists because life is not enough!”.

Check out more news about art, trend and design in our content platform CONNECTARCH.