Brazil: Modern Architectures in History (Reaktion Books - Modern Architectures in History)

Set against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty, Brazil’s striking modernist architecture has long garnered international acclaim. But these well-known works are not fully reflective of the built environment of Brazil, and with this volume, Richard Williams unearths the rich architectural heritage of Brazil. Spanning from 1945 through today, the book examines Brazilian architecture beyond the works of renowned architects such as Oscar Niemeyer and the “Carioca” architects of Rio de Janeiro. Williams investigates issues such as the use of historic architecture, the importance of leisure and luxury, the role of the favela as a backdrop and inspiration for development, and the rapid growth of cities. From the designated world heritage site of Brasilia—a capital city that was planned from the ground up—to the installation work of artists such as Hélio Oiticica, Brazil delves into the origins and far-reaching influence of Brazil’s architectural modernism. At a moment when Latin America is of increasing importance in global business and culture, Brazil will be an essential read for all scholars of architecture and Latin American history. "Spanning the period from the 1930s to the present, this book focuses on recurring themes within Brazil's Modernism: the place of colonial architecture and the colonial legacy; the influence of sexuality in architectural imagery; the importance of leisure and luxury; the role of the favela as a backdrop and inspiration for development; and the spectacular growth of Brazil's cities. The book includes a great variety of buildings, including those by renowned architects such as Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio Costa, Roberto Burle Marx, Vilanova Artigas, Lina Bo Bardi and Paulo Mendes da Rocha, as well as more recent projects by Jaime Lerner, Joao Filgueiras Lima, Ruy Ohtake, Paulo Zimbres and others. Uniquely, Brazil also considers works by Lygia Pape, Helie Oiticica and other artists, and argues for art's centrality to a complete history of Brazil's architectural Modernism. Richard J. Williams's Brazil is an essential read for anyone interested in Brazil's architectural past and present as well as Latin American history."--Jacket Imprint page......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Introduction......Page 9 one: The Politics of the Past......Page 35 two: The Politics of Eros......Page 65 three: Brasília, or the Politics of Progress......Page 97 four: The Aesthetics of Poverty......Page 135 five: The Politics of Liberation......Page 163 six: The Politics of Spectacle......Page 187 seven: The Politics of Public Space......Page 219 eight: Brazil’s Legacies......Page 245 References......Page 264 Select Bibliography......Page 277 Acknowledgements......Page 283 Photo Acknowledgements......Page 284 Index......Page 285