Domingos Tótora Organic Table Centerpiece, Brazil 21st Century

Made of recycled cardboard, this bowl shows the characteristic theme in Tótora’s work, sustainability. For the designer, exploring ways to produce objects with respect for our environment is of outmost importance, which also translates visually in his creations. As such, this model has a beautiful, organic look that resembles natural forms such as a leaf or skeleton. In his own studio, the cardboard collected with the community’s help is broken up into small pieces and turned into a pulp, which serves as the base for his art pieces, including this bowl. The body is hand-moulded, dried in the sun, and finished to “imperfect perfection”. In this careful and labor-intensive process, the cardboard, which originated from wood, essentially is brought back full cycle by taking on a wood quality again. Tótora’s design breathes sustainability, timelessness, and serenity. The neutral ochre tones represent the colour of the earth in the rural areas of the designer’s home country.

Naturally, Tótora’s creations are made by hand and inherently open to little imperfections and differences, purposely adding to the wabi-sabi aesthetic of his works. As exemplified by this model, beauty is sought through stillness, and inspired by nature.

Condition:
New

Dimensions:
18.11 in W x 10.03 in W x 5.7 in H
46 cm W x 25.5 cm D x 14.5 cm H

Literature:
Domingos Tótora – Maria Sonia Madureira de Pinho, Brazil 2013, unpaginated

About the designer:
Domingos Tótora (1960-) is a contemporary Brazilian designer whose work falls between art and design. Born and raised in the mountainous region of Maria da Fé, nature is an essential part of Tótora’s aesthetic. Being true to nature means that imperfections are a welcome part of Tótora’s designs, embracing asymmetry and unevenness in the spirit of wabi-sabi.

Following his studies in São Paulo, Tótora found inspiration on the streets in the form of discarded cardboards. He created a process in which cardboard can be recycled by breaking it down to small pieces, transforming it to cellulose plaster. With the addition of water, glue and natural pigments, the cardboard can be shaped into new forms. Through this sustainable process, waste cardboards are turned into a wood-like material. Tótora and his small team believe sustainability happens through actions and not words.

His studio, Domingos Tótora Estúdio de Artes Design, was founded in 2005 in his hometown, Maria da Fé. The beauty of his work manifests itself in its philosophy of creation and respect for the environment. The production process of Tótora’s designs is 100% manual and the cardboard he uses is fully recycled. Domingos Tótora is a true mixture of artist, designer, and craftsman. In recent years, the originality and elegance of his creations have been recognized in several exhibitions. ~H.