David Elia Design Studio is looking to manufacture and commercialize the Reel Cardboard Side Table. It would be great to find the suitable company. The Reel Cardboard Side Table comes flat pack and is mountable with brass legs. There are four different height options and three colour finish: Off White, Terracotta and Natural. A hydrophobic finish is also applied for durability. The shape of this table was inspired by the Reel cardboard serving tray which was made by using pieces of cardboard packing material. The Reel cardboard tray was sold at the MoMA design store during the Spring of 2012. Recently, a unique coffee table variant has been produced at the studio using poured Concrete-Terracotta material. David has chosen to fuse both design and the importance of recycling and the study behind it. David hopes that people will be reminded every day of the importance of this. Further information on the studio available at davidelia.com .

2. David Elia Studio is based in London and Rio de Janeiro. A
melting pot of objects, ideas and research the studio is
a crucible where material, textures and colors clash into
each other.
David also draws upon Cultural hybridization, the blending
of elements from different cultures. “I feel that without
cultural hybridization, the world we live in would not be
anywhere near as interesting and integrated as it is today.
By studying this phenomenon through iconography and
material culture we can better understand how the melting
potofculturesfromEurope,AfricaandAsiashapedmodern
day Brazil as well as other countries worldwide.”
For David Elia, life is his main source of inspiration. By
observing his surroundings he frames his artwork and
transcendshiseverydayperception.Everythingisapretext
for creation, and takes shape in an unexpected way by
recomposing, reconstructing, up-cycling and re-adapting.
David Elia’s artwork speaks about life and its reflection.

3. ENVIRONMENT
URBAN STUDIES
HISTORY
The environment is one of the most significant topics that
artist David Elia discusses throughout his work. The fragile
issue of the environment is debated all over the globe and is
quite relevant in Brazil as it is home to the largest rainforest
in the world. David illuminates this with his Deforestation
Stool which highlights all of the trees that are cut down in
the Mata Atlantica.
This piece is in many important collections globally and is
going to be featured in the London Design Biennale in 2018.
Brazilisameltingpotofculturesandhistory.Immigrationhas
made it one of the most diverse countries in the world. Many
countries can see emigration to Brazil.An example in David’s
practice is the Sinocarioca Tea Table which was created to
highlighttheChineseemigrationfromMacau,China.Chinese
immigrants made a vital impact to the Brazilian economy
when they were brought over to harvest tea leaves which
was a large part of the economy between 1808 and 1820.
The Afro-brazilian community is another imperative culture
that has made a significant impact on Brasil and Elia has
chosen to highlight this with his Xequere.
Elia continues to create works that have been inspired by
the numerous different cultures such as the Japanese,
Jewish, Italian, German etc which has made Brasil such a
melting pot.
The studio prides itself on showing how history has shaped
the collections.Infrastructure is a vital part to any prosperous country, city or
community and without a proper and thriving infrastructure poverty
increases and communities can slowly deteriorate. Elia created a
series called Caixa d’agua which consists of miniature terracota
replicasofthefamiliarwatertanksfunctioningasvases.Thebottom
of each vase is covered with cracked earth representing the water
shortages and
unreliable access to water and pollution which often happens in
urban settings around Brazil. It is an alarming situation in a country
that has plenty of natural water resources.
Other Urban Study Collections are Gato Eletrico and Veneza Carioca.
Gato Eletrico speaks to the lack of electricity in Brazilian Favelas
and Veneza Carioca highlights the lack of stable land plots which
can displace many families when natural disasters occur.
Rodrigo Baleia ©
Ratão Diniz ©
Johann Moritz Rugendas ©

4. SOCIOLOGY
COLLABORATIONS
PACIFICATION
The artist’s inaugural work is called Stray Bullet featured in the
important international exhibition called “New Territories” at
the M.A.D. museum in New York (2014). In this series David Elia
highlights the issues that surround security in Brazil as well as
around the world. Another example is the Bulletproof series in
which David Elia highlights the contradictory nature of gun
violence in Brazil.
Interestingly enough as shootings decrease the desire
for bulletproofing cars and windows actually increases.
The Pacification series is another way in which David
highlights the significance and sometimes controversial natural
of this topic in Brazil. It is inspired by the raids of the army, police
and special police (BOPE) in the favelas, which can cause as many
deaths as spared lives in the perpetual fight against gangs which
“hold” neighborhoods.
David Elia has taken much interest in the study of human
development and society. With much research the Urna Vase
was created as homage to the Yawanawa people as they were
displaced since the building of the Belo Monte Dam in 2011.
Pipa also highlights the intricate communication systems that
have been developed between Favelas which David Elia was
fascinated by.
David Elia has been part of many different collaborations
drawing on his initial inspirations above.
Nodus Rugs created a bespoke rug touching on the Veneza
Cariocacollectionunderthe Urbanstudiesthemewhichwas
featured in the Milan Design Fair.
The Stray Bullet Vases was a collaboration with Atelier
PignatierinVallauris,wherePicassomademanyofhisworks.
The New York Collective Design Fair in 2015 elected David
Elia to research and transform the lounge into a statistical
representation of crime in Rio during May 2014. Each of the
bullets represented a criminal disturbance that had occured
in the city.
David Elia continues to be inspired by all aspects of the
global world we live in.
Juliana Saldanha ©
Bruno Itan ©
Matt Vacca ©

5. BIOGRAPHY
Artist-designer David Elia was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1982 with Lebanese origins. Elia’s work combines gambiarra—a Portuguese word that refers
to a makeshift problem-solving style common to Brazil, generally necessitated by or alluding to a lack of tools and inspired by a tradition of resourcefulness
as well as upcycling and Post-Minimalist tendencies. Additionally, much of Elia’s work addresses issues within Brazilian society, such as violence, security,
drug trafficking, poor urban infrastructure and environmental degradation that have actually turned globally relevant.
David also draws upon Cultural hybridization, the blending of elements from different cultures. “ I feel that without cultural hybridization, the world we live
in would not be anywhere near as interesting and integrated as it is today. By studying this phenomenon through iconography and material culture we can
better understand how the melting pot of cultures from Europe, Africa and Asia shaped modern day Brazil as well as other countries worldwide.”
David has received critical acclaim in a variety of projects. He is one of the spearheads of new movements of creative hybrid professionals who offer
innovative works, which mix the best of contemporary art and design.
Standout projects to date include the 2011 Stray Bullet and 2013 Bulletproof collections. In November 2014 his work was included in the exhibition “New
Territories: Laboratories for Design, Art and Craft in Latin America” at the Museum of Arts & Design in New York. Elia’s Stray Bullet chair and Bullet Proof side
table were chosen and recognized to position individuals and collaboratives in several distinct cities as laboratories where some of the most pertinent new
directions in design and craft are emerging today.
Recently the studio has been elected to represent Brazil at the 2018 London Design Biennale.
DavidEliaattendedtheHarvardGraduateSchoolofDesign’sSummerProgramin2002,andreceivedhisBachelor’sdegreeinfineartsfromBrandeisUniversity
in 2004. In 2007 Elia earned a Master’s degree in interior architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). In 2009, he received a Master’s degree
in design from Milan’s Domus Academy.
David now works and lives in London where he has his new studio. Previously, In 2010, David had his first studio in Rio de Janeiro.
Elia’s work is included in multiple collections; the permanent collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the Museum of Arts & Design in New York,
the François Pinault Collection, Paris and the Paula Cussi Latin American Art Collection, Madrid among others. He is the recipient of an A Prime Design Award
(2011) and an IF Materials Design Award (2010)..

7. CURRICULUM
2018
MAD Collects: The Future of Craft Part 1 – MAD Museum, New York
Emotional States - London Design Biennale, London
2017
Open Studio - London Design Festival, London
2016
New Territories: Laboratories for Design, Art and Craft in Global Latin America –
Amparo Museum, Mexico
New Territories: Laboratories for Design, Art and Craft in Global Latin America –
Albuquerque Museum of Art, New Mexico
2015
Design da Gema: Manifeste Carioca – Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris
Rio de Janeiro, May 2014 – Collective Design Fair, New York
2014
New Territories: Laboratories for Design, Art and Craft in Global Latin America –
MAD Museum, New York
2012
“Bobina” Natural color Tray sold at the MoMA Design Store during Springtime –
New York
2011
Collection “Stray Bullet” Chair present at the L&M Arts Gallery – New York
Collection “Stray Bullet” Chair exhibited at the Hong Kong Art’ Fair, L&M Arts –
New York
DESIGN COMPETITIONS & ART RESIDENCIES
2011
A’ Design Award in Arts, Crafts and Ready-Made Design for the tray artwork “Bobina” –
Italy
2010
International Forum Materials Design Award for the project Capella Acoustic Tile –
Germany
2004
Esther Pine Memorial Prize in Fine Arts – USA
Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Arts Grant for the sculpture project Architectonica –
USA
The François Pinault Collection – Paris, France
Charity Auction by Brazil-Monaco Project, “Desmatamento” Chair
sold for 18,000 Eur – Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Paula Cussi Latin American Art Collection – Madrid, Spain
Musée des Arts Décoratifs – Paris, France
Museum of Arts & Design (MAD Museum) – New York, USA
The Sir Elton John Art Collection – London, United Kingdom
PUBLIC & PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ramirez, Rangel, Perez and Sims. “New Territories: Laboratories
forDesign,ArtandCraftinGlobalLatinAmerica”.Turner.December
2014
EDUCATION
2009
MA Design, Domus Academy – Italy
2007
MIA, Masters Interior Architecture, Rhode Island School of Design – USA
2004
BA, Fine Arts, Brandeis University – USA
2002
Certificate Architecture, Harvard Graduate School of Design Summer Program – USA
2000
French Baccalaureat, L – Lycee Albert 1er – Monaco
EXHIBITIONS

8. BOBINA / REEL
The Reel Cardboard Side Table comes flat pack and is mountable with brass legs. There
are four different height options and three colour finish: Off White, Terracotta and
Natural. A hydrophobic finish is also applied for durability.
The shape of the tablewas inspired by the Reel cardboard traywhichwas made by using
pieces of cardboard packing material. The Reel cardboard tray was sold at the MoMA
design store during the Spring of 2012.
Elia has chosen to fuse both design and the importance of recycling and the study
behind it. David Elia hopes that people will be reminded every day of the importance of
this. Further information on the studio available at davidelia.com .
Ø 350
500

9. 40.15 %
47.30 %
4.38 %
8.16 %

12. Tray Table x 1
x 1
Countersunk Screw x 4
Legs x 4
Tray Base x 4
Glass x 1
1.
2.
3.

23. 25, Lexington Street - W1F 9AG LONDON, UK
www.davidelia.com info@davidelia.com