Alberto Churba: 93 years of Argentine design

Designed in 1911, the Palacio Errázuriz-Alvear was the private residence of Josefina de Alvear and Matías Errázuriz Ortúzar. The couple, who married in 1897, were passionate about art. As Matías Errázuriz Ortúzar was a diplomat, they lived in Europe for ten years, where they acquired both European and Oriental artworks. Both the collection and the house itself were purchased by the Argentine state in 1936, when Josefina died. Her husband did not wish to remain in the house.

One could say that the Museum of Decorative Arts and Alberto Churba, whose retrospective is on display until mid-October, were born almost simultaneously. Normally, exhibitions are limited to one or two rooms of the museum, but due to the importance of Alberto Churba's work, the entire ground floor had to be used.

The carpets laid out in the great hall are truly impressive. These are handmade pieces, each taking more than three months to create. Churba designed them by playing with textures, knot density, pile height, and color gradients. Arranged in the central room, they stand in stark contrast to the Tudor-style windows, oriental screens, and stone fireplace.

To better appreciate the interplay of colors, it is recommended to go to the gallery on the first floor. Since the hall is twice as high, the effect from above is magnificent. The five bronze chandeliers hanging from the beams do not detract from the scene, but rather complement it.

In the Baroque-inspired dining room, Chinese porcelain sits next to the much-praised Sillón Cinta. Designed in 1969, this piece of furniture is made from a single piece of bent wood that combines the seat, backrest, and armrests. Because it stands on a platform, its beauty can be admired from every angle. On the walls hang his latest works: digital paintings. With their colorful patterns, curves, and folds, these paintings resemble textiles. The colors are either vibrant or completely neutral in shades of gray.

The small space connecting the dining room to the spectacular ballroom was used to display a selection of fabrics. These are richly colored canvases, suspended from a considerable height, forming a delicate labyrinth that invites exploration. The motifs are highly diverse, ranging from soft-looking bouquets of pink and violet flowers to bold geometric patterns. Churba designed for the Swiss company Nef-Nelo in the 1970s. His creations were sold in Europe, the United States, and Japan, where they were used to make tablecloths, curtains, upholstery fabrics, and cushions.

In one of the house's most beautiful rooms, the grand Rococo-style ballroom, the collection of mouth-blown glass is presented. The colorful, translucent pieces, beautifully arranged on a long, equally transparent table in the center, multiply and merge with the mirrors that cover the walls. Churba created unique pieces in vibrant colors. On display are exquisite glasses and plates in black and white, as well as sculptures that are as ethereal as they are elegant.

A life dedicated to design, unfolding in an extraordinary setting. A must-see for all art lovers who wish to appreciate the ingenuity of this artist, the youngest of six siblings, who had the freedom to pursue all his interests. Pianist, dancer, and above all, a magnificent visual artist. Trained at the Academy of Fine Arts, internationally acclaimed, still vibrant at 93.