A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
358: Praça da Estação
Praça Rui Barbosa, as it is named offically (after the Bahian politician), is one of the principal locations in Belo Horizonte. The cornerstone of this square was laid in 1894, even before the inauguration of the new capital of Minas Gerais. Ten years later, the square was urbanized, surrounded by English-style gardens. The neoclassic building of the railway station was inaugurated in 1922, and now hosts the Museu de Artes e Ofícios (Arts and Crafts Museum). Centrally located in this square is the monument of the Mineiro Civilization. Early 2000’s, the square became revitalized with new pavement, illumination and two large fountain blocks. The square hosts various festivals and cultural events, including the Arraial de Belô, a folkloric dance event held in June.
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
310: Brown, Blue, and White
Diamantina is one of the seven major historic towns near Belo Horizonte. The other six are Ouro Preto, Mariana, Sabará, Congonhas, São João del Rei, and Tiradentes. Most of these towns have several buildings that are built in the Baroque-Rococo style, and dozens of them contain works of the famous Brazilian sculptor Aleijadinho. The historic center of Diamantina hosts dozens of houses built in the colonial style. There are generally plastered in white, whereas the door and window frames are painted in blue. Less common is the brown color for the doors. The door on this picture is a good example of a relief door, painted in brown, blue, and white.
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
275: Art Déco
Belo Horizonte is a relatively young city with just over a hundred years. The city is inspired by cities such as Chicago and Paris, and its center strongly resembles a large checkerboard. Modern architecture has also influenced the capital of Minas Gerais, and many modern building styles can be found in various attractive buildings in the city center and beyond. Like Art Déco, a principal style of the 1930s, which has some examples in the city. One of them is the Correios building, built in 1936. It appears that a column is supported by three sculpted men, as shown in the picture.
Uma seleção pessoal com as fotografias e suas histórias.
013. Espelho (2)
MAIO 2005: Espelho (2)
Em Maio de 2005, minha amiga de Guarulhos estava organizando um a oficina que abrangia uma pequena faixa da Avenida Paulista. Ela e sua família ajudaram interessados na Parada Gay – uma das maiores do mundo, que estava acontecendo na Avenida Paulista aquele dia, a fazer máscaras. Eu aproveitei a oportunidade para andar pela avenida, antes do começo da Parada. Durante a Parada, eu me juntei a essa família em sua oficina. Mais tarde ainda naquele dia, eu fui convidado a assistir um jogo entre os times do Palmeiras e do Santos.
A personal selection of photographs with their stories.
013. Mirror (2)
MAY 2005: Mirror (2)
In May 2005, my friend from Guarulhos was organizing a workshop in an narrow alley along Avenida Paulista. She and her family helped interested participants of the Gay Pride – one of the largest in the world, which that was held in Avenida Paulista that day, to create masks. I made use of the opportunity to walk along the avenue, before the start of the parade. During the parade, I joined the family at their workshop. Later that afternoon, I was invited to watch a match between the soccer teams Palmeiras and Santos.
A personal selection of photographs with their stories in English, Portuguese, and Dutch (scroll down for the Portuguese and Dutch texts). 13. Mirror/ Espelho / Spiegel (2)
MAY 2005: Mirror (2)
In May 2005, my friend from Guarulhos was organizing a workshop in an narrow alley along Avenida Paulista. She and her family helped interested participants of the Gay Pride – one of the largest in the world, which that was held in Avenida Paulista that day, to create masks. I made use of the opportunity to walk along the avenue, before the start of the parade. During the parade, I joined the family at their workshop. Later that afternoon, I was invited to watch a match between the soccer teams Palmeiras and Santos.
(Click on the image, a new tab will open) MAIO 2005: Espelho (2)
Em Maio de 2005, minha amiga de Guarulhos estava organizando um a oficina que abrangia…
Igreja São Francisco de Assis (Pampulha), BELO HORIZONTE (MG)
Without doubt, the small Igreja São Francisco de Assis in the Pampulha District, may be considered as one of the landmarks of Belo Horizonte. The light blue color, the tower and cross that are separated, the roof that consists of four round arcs. Architect Oscar Niemeyer – who died on 5 December 2012 at the age of 104 – designed the church, and a number of other buildings along an artificial lake, Lagoa da Pampulha. Oscar became more famous thanks to his participation in the construction of Brasília, capital of Brazil. Artist Cândido Portinari was responsible for the paintings inside and outside the church. The little garden was created by Roberto Burle Marx. The church was finished in 1943, but only in 1959, the church was consecrated. The archbishop of Belo Horizonte was opposed against the revolutionary design. Only recently, the church was renovated, and now attracts many Brazilian and foreign visitors.
The original picture was taken in June 2006
ClickHEREfor general information about BELO HORIZONTE
Destination Rio de Janeiro, the second travel to the former capital of Brazil. More images of Palácio Tiradentes, seat of the government of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Destination Rio de Janeiro, the second travel to the former capital of Brazil. Palácio Tiradentes is the seat of the government of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Downtown Rio. I continued my walk and I only had to cross the street for another historical building. In front of this building was a statue of a man, wearing a long mantle. It is the statue of Tiradentes, resistance leader in Minas Gerais, who was executed in 1792. The revolt he was leading was an important step in the independence process of Brazil. A mineiro in Rio, in front of the building that is named after him: Palácio Tiradentes. The Brazilian House of Representatives was having the meetings here, from 1926 until 1960. Then the House moved to the new capital: Brasília. Until 1975, the parliament of the state of Guanabara was having the meetings. The state of Guanabara then merged with the former Federal District to the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The statue of Tiradents in front of the
Palácio.
Right: the standard bearing an eagle.
Eclectic style
The Palace is built in the eclectic style: a mix of historical architecture styles are incorporated in this building. At first sight, it appears a copy of some European historical building, with elements of a more modern style: the essence of the eclectic style. The front counts six pillars and is flanked by allegories of the independent nation of Brazil: Ordem (order) and Progresso (progress). Critics consider the motto “Ordem e Progresso” as a contradiction: social inequality and the small steps made in the development of Brazil, compared to the huge steps of progress in countries like China and even Argentina. The shield bearing the motto “Ordem” displays a five-pointed star that is surrounded by a laurel. The southern Cross is located within the star, and is encircled by a ring of 27 stars: the 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District. The banner displays “Estados Unidos do Brasil (United States of Brazil)’ with the date of November 15, 1889. This shield was niet in an optimal condition: it deserves profound restoration to remove the cracks and traces of erosion.
Statue of Tiradentes. Right: Igreja do
Carmo and Igreja da Ordem Terceira
do Carmo, next to each other.
Roof
The shield at the other side is identical, but bears the motto ‘Progresso’. This shield is partly covered by the mantle of the seated figure, who secures the shield. The seated figure of a woman, accompanied by a child, as if the adult is teaching the child.
The roof of Palácio Tiradentes reminded me of the monument in Brussels, which commemorates the independence from The Netherlands. But here are no carriages on the roof, but a horseman with the sword pointed in the air, flanked by soldiers on foot, who protect themselves by shields. At the right, next to the pillars, are two statues of nude models who flank the shield with the motto “PAX (vrede)”.
One of the flanking statues who
symbolize Brazilian independence
.
Suits
Another monument is located next to the statue of Tiradentes: an eagle op top of a standard. An eagle with its wings partly spread, as if it is showing a threatening or defending behavior. This standard reminded me of the standards of the Romans. Another pillar, with a winged woman figure that secures a laurel in the air, is located on the square in front of the Palace. Without doubt, this location is full of symbols. Inside the palace, a permanent exhibition was going on, about Brazilian politics. However, the Assembly of Rio de Janeiro was having a special meeting that day. Various bodyguards were located in front of the Palace, all of them in expensive suits and with earphones. They only lacked dark sunglasses and a stoic grimace, as is common in many American movies.
Tiradentes flanked by the flags of the
state of Rio de Janeiro (l) and Brazil (r).
Below right: one of the bodyguards.
News
And indeed, the special meeting of the Assembly had attracted the media. Cars from various radio and TV stations were parked around the square. There was a van of well-known TV station; behind his control panel, the director was commanding his crew. Another van was parked a bit further away, with a large antenna pointed in the sky. Whatever was about to happen that day, it would be broadcasted in most Brazilian news programs. I later found out that the newly elected Assembly was inaugurated.
May 2005. I visited friends in Guarulhos, a suburb of São Paulo. My friend Diana knows São Paulo really wel, and showed me some interesting locations in this mega city. A short impression of Avenida Paulista, one of the principal avenues.
Mirror image of another skyscraper at the opposite site of the avenue.
Office building of the Brazilian Itaú Bank.
Glass, glass, glass…..
Overview of part of Avenida Paulista
The other side….
More glass…
Skyscrapers in various shapes and sizes
A trapezoid skyscraper
For rent!
More than enough inspiration for mirror images
Image of the Avenue, from a side-street.
Not in Avenida Paulista, but near Mercado Central.
By Dr. Adriano Antoine Robbesom Original text in Dutch, translation with help of Google Translator .
