Brazilian Modernism gave the world some of its most unforgettable expressions of architecture and design. Oscar Niemeyer’s sweeping civic buildings, Lina Bo Bardi’s bold and humane architecture and Roberto Burle Marx’s landscapes brought international acclaim. Alongside them, furniture designers such as Sérgio Rodrigues gave form to a distinctly Brazilian spirit through works that combined local materials, cultural traditions and Modernist ideals.

This talk explores Brazilian Modernism through the connections among these masters, in the spirit of Charles Eames’ observation that “eventually everything connects.” The dialogue between architecture, landscape and furniture design created a unified vision of Modern Brazil that was joyful, dramatic and deeply rooted in culture.

Presenter Jonathan Durling, Founder and CEO of Sossego, brings a personal perspective as someone who grew up in Brazil and later founded a U.S.-based company dedicated to Modern Brazilian furniture. His work has centered on sharing the stories and context of Brazilian design with new audiences, weaving biography, history and lived experience into a vivid portrait of a movement that remains globally influential.

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