SEARCH

Subscribe to our newsletter:

Name:

Email:

where do you live?
UK BRAZIL SOMEWHERE ELSE

MAGIC LINES

Modern Brasilian architecture, made famous by Niemeyer's work in Brasilia, has now reinforced its stronghold. The new headquarters of the IberĂȘ Camargo Foundation, due to be inaugurated in March of this year, looks set to make a major impact. Justo Werlang, the Foundation's vice-president, said that "the headquarters will serve to promote and preserve the work of the artist". IberĂȘ Camargo was one of the most important Expressionist artists in Brasil. The painter, who died in 1994, had an extensive oeuvre.

The innovative building has been constructed from reinforced concrete right throughout (being 8,250m2), without the use of tiling or sealing; rounded contours emphasise the form and movement of the ramps linking one level to another. The concept was dreamt up by celebrated Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza and drew international attention when in 2002 it became the first American architectural plan to win the Golden Lion Award at the Venice Biennale of Architecture.

"It's something of a paradigm on the Brasilian arts scene. Nine exhibition rooms have been spread out across the three top floors, dedicated to the exhibition of works by IberĂȘ and other important national and international artists", explains Werlang. He also points out that the venue will become a centre for "reference, research and information, with a specialised library, data bank, video collection and periodicals room, set up especially for Brasilian and foreign researchers and for journalistic work".

If you go to Porto Alegre, the state capital of Rio Grande do Sul, make sure you visit this futuristic work, with its narrow windows designed to embrace the view of the River GuaĂ­ba as part of the exhibition.

Words: Guilherme Zauith
Pictures: Fabio Del Rei