Exhibition Tour: Mid-Century Modern Design in Latin America at MoMA

The Committee on Residential Architecture, formerly known as Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN), is launching a series of private museum exhibition tours focused on the historic work of architects who come from communities known for their diversity. This inaugural event in the series will tour the exhibition Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940–1980 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

“As lively as its music, as colorful as its art and fashion, as rich and diverse as its cuisine, design in South America captures the exuberance and wit that have shaped every aspect of the continent's culture.” This is how architectural scholar Raul Barrenche describes Latino Modern designs from South America during the middle of the 20th century, which would apply equally well to those stemming from Central America countries. This MoMA exhibition presents these sometimes conflicting visions of modernity proposed by designers of home environments in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela between 1940 and 1980. For some, design was an evolution of local and Indigenous craft traditions, leading to an approach that combined centuries-old artisanal techniques with machine-based methods.

“Designers here were isolated for decades, kept off the world stage by turmoil at home. Now their work—sophisticated, serious, sexy—is stealing the spotlight at furniture fairs from New York to Milan and smashing estimates at auction.” To gain a window on the soul of Latin America during this critical moment in history, this is the mission of this private tour. “There is design in everything,” wrote Clara Porset, the innovative Cuban-Mexican designer. She believed that craft and industry could inspire each other, forging an alternative path for modern design. We agree. Highlights of the exhibition include Clara Porset’s Butaque chair; Lina Bo Bardi’s Bowl chair; Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan, and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy’s B.K.F. Chair; and Roberto Matta’s Malitte Lounge Furniture.