TIMELESS LEGACY

Architect, designer, and writer, Luis Casnati (Mendoza, 1926-2017) reflects a constant search for beauty and functionality, characterized by an aesthetic linked to Latin American design and the applied arts.

He co-founded the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Mendoza in 1960, where he served as a professor of Plastic Arts, which included interior equipment and furniture design.

In his various works, like the Casa-estudio Casnati, he created furnishings designed for the spatiality of each place, characterized by their structural innovation and materiality: the use of local woods, metals such as bronze and copper, or the application of ceramics as coatings.

He frequently collaborated with artist Luis Quesada, who developed carvings and assemblies in wood, beaten sheet metal, inlays, and metal coatings, among other techniques applied to furniture.

Casnati was distinguished not only by his creative versatility but also by his ability to merge poetry with design. In recent years, his work has been recognized with a retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in Mendoza, and in the exhibition “Del cielo a casa” held at Malba; in addition to books like “Intermitencia. Diseño mendocino.” (2020).

VIBRANT LEGACY

An emblematic figure in the visual arts, Luis Quesada (Mendoza, 1923-2021) left an indelible mark on the art of the region. His contributions spanned from painting and muralism to engraving and sculpture, with works that adorn public spaces, reflecting his commitment to the community and local culture.

He was the founder of significant cultural spaces such as the Mural Workshop and the Chair of Applied Art at the National University of Cuyo, promoting the dissemination of utilitarian art. In addition, he led educational initiatives that redefined the landscape of design and artistic creation in the country.

His permanent crossover between art, utilitarian art, and design has been showcased in numerous exhibitions such as “Del cielo a casa” at Malba, 2023, and Interfaces at the National Fund for the Arts, Buenos Aires. Currently, his legacy is being rediscovered and studied as a reference of undeniable impact.