Clara Porset: Butaque, One on One Series – Paperback

By Ana Elena Mallet “There is design in everything,” declared Clara Porset, one of the most innovative Latin American designers of the twentieth century. Throughout her long career, Porset—who was born in Cuba but spent much of her life in Mexico—pioneered the design of modern interiors and furnishings, succeeding in an era that offered few opportunities for the professional development of women. In this latest volume of MoMA’s One on One series, scholar and curator Ana Elena Mallet explores Porset’s interpretation of the butaque, the traditional low-slung chair found throughout Latin America. Porset’s butaque—distinctively modern yet rooted in ancient cultures—demonstrates how a single item of design can convey multitudes about society, regional identity, and intersecting histories. 48 pp.; 34 illus. Each volume in the One on One series is a sustained meditation of a single work from the collection of The Museum of Modern Art. A richly illustrated and lively essay illuminates the subject in detail and situates that work within the artist’s life and career as well as within broader historical contexts. This series is an invaluable guide for exploring and interpreting some of the most beloved artworks in the Museum’s collection. View the entire series here .