Oscar Niemeyer "The architect centennial"
Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho is 100 years old on December 15. Better known in the world as Oscar Niemeyer, this genius of architecture celebrate its centenary in his home in Rio de Janeiro, with the family, which includes five grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. But the main cities and some European, accompanied him in the celebrations, with tributes, including competitions in Portugal, exhibits of the island of Madeira to Switzerland, television programs and books of remembrance in Germany.
In São Paulo, the inhabitants of the Copan building, one of the major architectural framework of the city, hung a strip with the number 100 and the VII Bienal de Arquitectura, in which he participates Joan Busquets dedicates a special room with pictures and models large size of their works, plus quotations. The tributes are repeated in all the cities that are works of the architect and the board of the Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage registered under guard 23 public monuments of Brasilia, and a dozen others across the country, all selected by Niemeyer in a list delivered by the Minister of Culture, the composer Gilberto Gil.
Last of the great living representatives of the start of modernism (Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Alvar Aalto died more than 30 years), Niemeyer remains active and continues his production work at his office in Rio de Janeiro, where he came with particular affection the Niemeyer Center, being built in Avilés. His spirit and love for life can be inferred also from the recent wedding to his secretary, Vera Lúcia Niemeyer, 60, who works with fifteen.
Creator of the forms of the Palaces of Alvorada do Planalto, the Congress and the Cathedral, among other monumental buildings of Brasilia, was one of those responsible for the architecture of the famous Brazilian capital, which emerged from nowhere 47 years ago . The recognition of this work led him to design other large buildings in São Paulo, Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro, but also in Venezuela, Germany, France, Algeria, Israel, UAE and now Spain.
In these works, the main element is the curve, which turned the world or that gives shape to the body of a woman. "Not me or the right angle and uncompromising hard line created by man, what attracts me is the free and sensual curve, the curve that I find in the mountains of my country, in the course of its winding rivers, the ocean waves in the body of the woman preferred, and the universe, "he says.
The international impact of his work led him to win the Pritzker enshrined, considered the Nobel of architecture in 1988, and the Prince of Asturias of the Arts in 1989.
Appalled by the number of interviews that were requested this year, from all corners of the world, Oscar Niemeyer said that at this stage of life prefers concise answers.
You will meet 100 years and seems full of plans, or even just get married. What are their plans, their outstanding projects and how you want to celebrate their 100 years?
I'm still in great demand by the press. I concluded that a pause is needed: to refuse what I do not like many of the interviews are sent to me or at least answer the questions I addressed in the most concise. And in that sense, I'm responding now. Any future plan worries me. As always, I carried the life-line work permits it, embraced it with friends and family, which is not small. Hundredth of that idea has no importance. The main thing is to look back and feel good about myself.
You are recognized as one of the most important architects of today and of the twentieth century. What he considers his most important legacy?
-I always say that life seems more important than architecture. What I like is that fight for a better and more just world was always my concern.
- What are the most admired architects in Brazil and abroad, at the moment?
-There are so many who prefer not to quote them, to avoid any omission.
- What do you think of what is currently built in large cities? Do not you think that there is little innovation in a country of great architects like you and Paulo Mendes da Rocha?
In principle, nothing of my work colleagues architects, in São Paulo in Brazil, including-many and great quality.
, Brasilia was planned as a city where all social classes together, but the poor ended up being pushed to the periphery. What is your view on that was his biggest project, after 47 years?
Non-urban project in Brasilia, my work was limited to its architecture. What you said is correct ... and it is unfortunate.
- Would you change anything if you did Brasilia today?
-I think not.
You are a man left. How do you see first and what is expected of Lula's second term?
-In addition to nationalism, Lula is a former operator, which leads him to look at the most disadvantaged with special affection. I hope that the concern he has deepened and yield better results in the new government.
- How do you see a future of Cuba without Fidel?
I think that the example of courage and patriotism of Fidel will always be in the heart of the Cuban people. And that will be essential to guarantee the future sovereignty of this great country.
- What is your secret and your board to reach 100 years?
-I say that I have always sixty years, happy to do what he did at that age.
By Veronica Goyzueta, Sao Paulo, the newspaper ABC.