Joias is the result of a residency of three Belgian designers and one curator who spent three weeks in Ilha Grande de Santa Isabel, an island in the Brazilian Delta do Parnaíba.
This region is also known for the Carnaúba palm tree, which is important to local residents both from an environmental as well as an economical point of view.
They use it for a range of material varying from construction, computer chips, medicine as well as artisanal objects.
“Through design and art I want to make people confident enough to open up for the other, and to strive for a global dialogue without losing their own identity and local culture. Doing so, I want to conquer on one side the destructive power of globalisation and on the other neolocalism and neo-nationalism,” says Elien Haentjens, a curator on the project, about the collaboration.
The three designers' work aims to help to merge the space between crafts, design and human contact.
Below are some of the products from the Joias range:
Tribo tables by Sep Verboom reflects the Carnaúba palm origin as well as the environmental role the tree plays in the community.
Linde Freya's Lagoa basket collection stems from the inspiration she drew from the dune landscape of Lençóis Maranhenses especially its shape, size and colour.
Laura Caroen created basket-like wall elements inspired by the shape and colour of the plants.
The Guri Guri collection by Linde Freya is made out of the Carnaúba palm fibres as well as plastic treads.
