Alberto Churba: 93 Years of Argentine Design

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

It's fair to say that the Museum of Decorative Arts and Alberto Churba, whose retrospective is on display until mid-October, were born at almost the same time. Exhibitions are usually 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 impressive. They are handmade pieces that took more than three months to create. Churba designed these carpets 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, the oriental screens, and the stone fireplace.

To better appreciate the play 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 rafters do not detract from the picture, but rather complement it.

In the baroque-inspired dining room, Chinese porcelain stands next to the highly acclaimed Sillón Cinta. Designed in 1969, this piece of furniture consists of 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 all angles. His latest works, digital paintings, hang on the walls. These images, with their colorful patterns, curves, and folds, resemble textiles. The colors are either vibrant or completely neutral in shades of gray.

The small room connecting the dining room to the spectacular ballroom was used to hang a selection of fabrics. These are vibrantly colored canvases suspended from a considerable height, forming a delicate labyrinth that invites visitors to walk through. The motifs are highly diverse, ranging from soft-looking bouquets in pink and purple to solid 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 made into 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 enjoy the ideas of this artist, who, as the youngest of six siblings, had the freedom to pursue all his interests. A pianist, dancer, and above all, a magnificent visual artist. Trained at the Académie Bellas Artes, he is internationally recognized, contemporary, and still vibrant at 93.