Soviet cogitations: 4764
Defected to the U.S.S.R.: 20 Jul 2007, 06:59 Ideology: Marxism-Leninism Forum Commissar
This great Brazilian architect died last week, but I didn't have time to post about it until now.
Oscar Niemeyer is one of the most important architects of the last century, largely because of his bold, modern buildings, made of free, elegant shapes, and because of his ambitious public works, none largest than the construction of Brazil's capital, Brasilia, an inmediate world heritage site. He was also a lifelong communist, and what a long life that was. He died just a week before he turned 105, active until the very end. Just last year, he was commisioned to renovate the Sambodromo, the stage for the Carnaval, and he did it, and made a public appearance, with a big smile on his face. He was also active on Twitter, where he posted about ongoing struggles in the world, and made jokes about how he was only starting out in life, that he had still had much to give. Here's what Samir Amir had to say about him when he turned 100 (forgive any errors, it's my own transation): Quote: So, here's the PCF building in Belleville, Paris: ![]() The lagoon church in Belo Horizonte: ![]() Here are two books on his ouvre (click on the images for the link): ![]() ![]() I feel that the building of Brazilia needs a special, separate mention. Though he has been questioned by fellow Communist for collaborating with the government, the building of a whole city was irresistible for Niemeyer, who wanted not only to express his esthetic principles, but also design an integrated city with large, public spaces and no class segregation. Sadly, capitalist dynamics and the continuous growth of the new capital prevented that from happening completely, but he did leave behind an awe-inspiring monumental work. The cathedral: ![]() ![]() Congress: ![]() This inmortal architect is now interred in Rio de Janeiro, where he was buried with the highest honors, among a large crowd and red flags. Both "Aquarela de Brasil" and "The International" were played by the Ipanema Band, the samba group he heralded. Although he was a communist and an atheist, two Catholic priests, a rabbi and an Protestant pastor gave a religious ceremony. It was supposed to be a private burial, only for friends, family and fellow milliants, but hundreds arrived to see him off. ![]() "You say you have no enemies? How is this so? Have you never spoken the truth, never loved justice?" - Santiago Ramón y Cajal Forum Rules
Soviet cogitations: 987
Defected to the U.S.S.R.: 27 Apr 2007, 18:04 Ideology: Marxism-Leninism Komsomol
RIP. Very impressive that he was still so committed to his architecture until the very end. I especially love the cathedral.
Soviet cogitations: 2408
Defected to the U.S.S.R.: 01 Nov 2003, 13:17 Ideology: Other Forum Commissar
May he rest in peace.
Soviet cogitations: 4764
Defected to the U.S.S.R.: 20 Jul 2007, 06:59 Ideology: Marxism-Leninism Forum Commissar
Very cool pics (thanks, OP):
OP-Bagration wrote: ![]() "You say you have no enemies? How is this so? Have you never spoken the truth, never loved justice?" - Santiago Ramón y Cajal Forum Rules |
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