A Work of Art – Museu de Arte Moderna

25 August 2010 // Filed under Arts + Brazil + Posts + Reviews + Trips

Museu de Arte Moderna or the Museum of Modern Art is one of Brazil's most important cultural institutions. Located in the Grande Marquise at Ibirapuera Park alongside Ibirapuera Auditorium, Museu de Arte Contemporanea da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Biennial Pavilion, Oca, Japanese Pavilion, Planetarium, among many other buildings, the museum was the first institution dedicated to modern art in Brazil. And as a forerunner of its time, the building was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and opened in 1948 under Francisco Matarazzo Sobrinho and his wife Yolanda Penteado, a famous Paulistan aristocrat. It moved from its original location on Rua sete de Abril in 1958 to Ibirapuera Park, first in the Museu da Aeronautica and then to its current destination in the Biennal Pavillion.

The day we visited the complex it was damp, overcast, and generally undesirable for outdoor activity. Regardless of the conditions, the display of modern architecture was very impressive. The Ibirapuera Auditorium and Oca, both designed by Oscar Niemeyer, present gargantuan facades faced with white painted concrete. Then there was the Biennal Pavilion, a long arcade that encircles the architectural setting.

The Museum of Modern Art contained the most thought provoking set of exhibits of artists from across the world. There are two rooms, one arranged in a traditional wall display around the circumference and the other as an open floor plan with pieces scattered throughout. My particular favorite was Danish team Superflex's Flooded McDonald's, a video featuring the restaurant being flooded as civilization comes to an end.

Comments Off  ::  Share or discuss  ::  2010-08-25  ::  admin

A Work of Art – Museu da Casa Brasileira

24 August 2010 // Filed under Arts + Brazil + Posts + Reviews + Trips

Museu da Casa Brasileira or the Museum of the Brazilian House, is a small museum located on Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, not 500 meters from Shopping Iguatemi. Identical to the colonial architecture of Paraty, this 1970s building was designed after the Palacio Imperial de Petropolis. The institution was founded as a site for cultural heritage and spent the first five years of its existence finding pieces that encompass last century's Brazilian furniture and decor.

Expoe exemplares do mobiliario dos seculos XVII ao XXI, enquanto, paralelamente, abre espaco para mostras temporarias do que se produz na atualidade em objetos e design pelos quatro cantos do Brasil e do mundo.

Displaying examples of furniture from the 17th to 21st century, while, in parallel, opens space for temporary shows that are produced in actuality in objects and design by the four quarters of Brazil and the world.

When we visited, half of the museum was under renovation. So although we were able to view the armarios, duvets, bed frames, and chairs, there was few objects of modern design. The one exhibit that did was entitled "100 years of Brazilian design" and was accompanied a coffee table sized book documenting the history of Brazilian designers from the last century. My one qualm with the space was both the size dedicated to it, far too small for any larger group...like a school group, and its lack of cohesion, chairs 100 years of age were next to those not a few years old.

Yet again the reason I enjoyed this museum was not for its contents but because of the experience in the building. There is a small cafe in the complex which serves a wonderful cafe completo and modern ambiance with a touch of the antique.

Comments Off  ::  Share or discuss  ::  2010-08-24  ::  admin