Thursday, March 27th
Sacolão das Artes
On the morning of the 27th we visited Sacolão das Artes, a community center that was just getting started. Some of the community center leaders and members put together a presentation for us in the building that they are transforming, which showed their mission statement and plans to create a creative space for the future. Some of the members did a dance and music performance for us, and then included us by getting everyone out of their chairs to dance. Afterward we had a lunch that they prepared for us. They seemed to be a good group of people that were committed to the idea of the space, either through creative expression or by trying to battle the tragedies they had faced in the area. After lunch there was an impromptu music session with some of the local musicians, which showed some of the spirit of the place.
Ibirapuera Park
In the afternoon we went to Ibirapuera Park. We saw Oscar Niemeyer's Auditorium, Biennial Pavilion , and OCA. OCA is a large white, dome-shaped building that has circular windows surrounding the base. We had the fortune to go in with nothing inside and the lights off, it must have been in between events. There were about 10 of us that went in and every noise that was made from walking, talking, singing, clapping, whistling, etc. was reverberated back to us because the whole space is one big dome on the inside. There are actually three floors in the building with ramps connecting each floor. On each floor there is open space that connects to the main floor. With the dim lighting and the sounds of all of us echoing back, a strange energy grew. Everyone became enchanted with the space and started trying to make noise or listen to it. The ceiling of the dome covers the top floor, and this is where the most intense sonic experience was, just the softest hum from someone could be heard by everyone, it was dark, strange and beautiful.
Centro Universitário Maria Antônia
That night we went to Centro Universitário Maria Antônia to see and exhibit called ‘Campo Coletivo: Collaborations and Public Interventions in Brazil’. It was a group show from artists that collaborate on projects. I am actually taking an independent study about artist collectives and collaborations with Wendy Jacob of the art collective HAHA, so this was interesting to think about in relation to the investigations we have done so far.
On a personal note, the next day was my birthday, so late that night at midnight a bunch of people from the two classes helped me celebrate on the roof of our hotel. There was a pool, so we went swimming, then had some drinks, listened to music and danced, all while looking out at the city of Sao Paulo at night from the rooftop.
