Arquitetura exposta: Infinito Vão como estudo de caso

Abstract

This research constitutes an exercise of critical analysis of a case study in search of the answer to two central questions: what do we exhibit when we exhibit architecture? and in what form architecture exhibitions may be analyzed? The work presents a brief historical survey of the main technical and conceptual issues related to architecture exhibitions, followed by the proposition of analytical categories on the approach of the theme and the case study. The object of analysis is the exhibition Infinito Vão - 90 anos de arquitetura brasileira, a historical panorama on the Brazilian architectural production that took place in Portugal, in 2018, at Casa de Arquitectura – constituting the first major historical exhibition of Brazilian architecture since Brazil Builds, which happed in New York in 1943. Using as base other architecture exhibitions, bibliographical and field research, primary and secondary sources, and interviews, the study assembles documentation of the exhibition, conversations with people responsible for its production and graphic material, followed by the author’s reflections as a researcher, student, architect and professional of the exhibitions milieu. In this context, two Portuguese cultural institutions focused on exhibitions of architecture, Casa da Arquitectura in Matosinhos and Garagem Sul in Lisbon, which provided essential experiences and dialogues for the practical and theoretical development of the study, were also presented. The research, therefore, is the beginning of an inquire, an exercise of critical observation and documentation of an ephemeral event of relevance, meant to contribute to the recent and not much disseminated discussion on the theme of architecture exhibitions.