ABERTO Returns to Sao Paulo, Brazil

This summer, ABERTO makes a grand return to São Paulo, Brazil, for its highly anticipated third edition from August 10 to October 6.  Chu Ming Silviera and Tomie Ohtak’s iconic Modernist homes, which have never been opened to the public before, are being celebrated in this year’s showcase.

Founded in 2022 by Brazilian art advisor Filipe Assis, ABERTO is a pioneering exhibition platform dedicated to promoting the intersection of Brazilian architecture, art, and design, both nationally and internationally. ABERTO stages each edition in never-before-seen private and public spaces that transform into striking environments. Leading cultural institutions, foundations, and galleries come together to present works by the country’s most prominent talents.

Following its debut in a private residence designed by the legendary architect Oscar Niemeyer and its second edition in a house by Villanova Artigas, a key figure in the Paulista School of Architecture, ABERTO/03 will be hosted in two iconic brutalist houses from the 1970s. These architectural gems, previously little known to the public, were designed by Brazilian architect Ruy Ohtake for his mother, Tomie Ohtake, a celebrated artist from Kyoto, Japan, and by Chu Ming Silveira, a visionary architect and designer from Shanghai, China.

The Residence of Chu Ming Silveira. Image by Leonardo Finotti. Courtesy of ABERTO.

The Atelier House of Tomie Ohtake. Image by Nelson Kon. Courtesy of ABERTO.

These unique homes will serve as the backdrop for a meticulously curated display of art and design, orchestrated by art curator Kiki Mazzuchelli and designer Claudia Moreira Salles. Their curation will seamlessly integrate elements such as exposed concrete and organic lines to enhance the overall artistic experience. “These homes offer an unexpected intimacy, inspired by Oriental designs with low ceilings that enhance engagement with the art, promoting contemplation and interaction. Our curation carefully uses architectural elements—openings, angles, and natural light—to place artworks, transforming each house into a canvas that blends form and function for an immersive experience beyond typical exhibition standards,” explains Salles.

Mazzuchelli’s art curation will showcase a captivating selection of Brazilian modern and contemporary art through collaborations with leading galleries such as Fortes D’Aloia & Gabriel, Mendes Wood DM, Luisa Strina, and Nara Roesler. Meanwhile, Moreira Salles will curate the design and focus on new furniture pieces edited by ETEL Gallery, under the direction of Lissa Carmona, whose family company has long been dedicated to preserving Brazil’s rich design history by editing and re-editing great modern classics.

Porta e Capacho by Wanda Pimentel (1979) in the residence of Chu Ming Silveira. Image by Ruy Teixeira. Courtesy of ABERTO.

ABERTO’s concept draws inspiration from the iconic 1922 Modern Art Week, a landmark movement that brought together artists, architects, and writers, laying the groundwork for creative intersections among disciplines. “This event inspired our ongoing exploration of Brazilian Modernism and its relevance in contemporary culture, where art, design, and modern architecture come together,” says Filipe Assis, Founder of ABERTO.

The Houses of ABERTO/03

Chu Ming Silveira’s Residence (Early 1970s)

The Residence of Chu Ming Silveira. Image by Leonardo Finotti. Courtesy of ABERTO

Tomie by Artur Lescher (2021) at the Residence of Chu Ming Silveira. Image by Ruy Teixeira. Courtesy of ABERTO.

Located in São Paulo’s Morumbi neighborhood, Chu Ming Silveira’s residence is a bold concrete and glass structure designed to enhance living and prioritize functionality. On the occasion of ABERTO/03, her youngest son, Alan Chu, will celebrate his mother’s legacy by showcasing his own designs, edited by ETEL Gallery, alongside reinterpretations of her original work.The art display, curated by Kiki Mazzucchelli, will feature recent works by renowned artist Anna Maria Maiolino, as well as important historical works by Pop-feminist artist Wanda Pimentel, and rare selections by Lygia Pape and Lygia Clark. A masterpiece by Alfredo Volpi from the 1950s will also be on display.

Tomie Ohtake’s Atelier House (1968)

The Atelier House of Tomie Ohtake. Image by Mauro Restiffe. Courtesy of ABERTO.

The Atelier House of Tomie Ohtake. Image by Leonardo Finotti. Courtesy of ABERTO.

In São Paulo’s Campo Belo neighbourhood, the 750m² atelier house where Tomie Ohtake lived and worked is an early project by her son, architect Ruy Ohtake. An icon of São Paulo’s brutalist architecture, the house incorporates vibrant colours as a tribute to Tomie’s artistic legacy.Inside, Paulo Miyada, curator of the Tomie Ohtake Institute, will present an exhibition exploring Tomie’s life and work. Additionally, ABERTO will feature newly commissioned works by rising Brazilian artists, alongside pieces by established names such as Ana Prata, Luiz Zerbini, and Alexandre da Cunha.“We are thrilled to unveil the remarkable stories of these extraordinary women and their profound impact on Brazilian art, architecture, and design,” says Lissa Carmona, Founder and CEO of ETEL Gallery. “ABERTO/03 not only celebrates their artistic and architectural contributions but also their immigrant perspectives that shaped the Brazilian Modernist movement.”

Cover image credit by The Atelier House of Tomie Ohtake. Image by Nelson Kon. Courtesy of ABERTO.

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