BRAZIL: Artists in Rio de Janeiro receive an eviction order to leave an old factory building they use as a studio as the city prepares for the 2016 Olympic Games
Record ID:
331141
BRAZIL: Artists in Rio de Janeiro receive an eviction order to leave an old factory building they use as a studio as the city prepares for the 2016 Olympic Games
- Title: BRAZIL: Artists in Rio de Janeiro receive an eviction order to leave an old factory building they use as a studio as the city prepares for the 2016 Olympic Games
- Date: 11th September 2012
- Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (SEPTEMBER 10, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VIEWS FROM THE OLD BHERING FACTORY, WHICH IS NOW USED AS A STUDIO BY ARTISTS VIEW OF OLD FACTORY, WHICH ONCE PRODUCED CHOCOLATES AND SWEETS CLOSE OF THE OLD FACTORY INTERIOR OF OLD FACTORY SIGN INDICATING ARTISTS' STUDIOS ARTISTS WALKING INSIDE THE FACTORY ARTISTS TALKING TO EACH OTHER INSIDE ONE OF THE STUDIOS, USED BY RENE MACHADO VARIOUS OF ART WORK BY RENE MACHADO MACHADO MOVING ONE OF HIS PAINTINGS CLOSE OF MACHADO (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN ARTIST, RENE MACHADO, SAYING: "This episode was very positive in a way because we had the opportunity to get to know each other and to start to organise ourselves, because before that everybody here The building has this natural and spontaneous capacity to bring together artists, who migrated (to the building) searching for more space and this created an interesting discussion and brought us together even more now that we had to mobilise." CLOSE OF THE HAND OF AN ARTIST WORKING CLOSE OF THE ARTIST ARTIST WORKING ARTIST MOVING ONE OF HER PAINTINGS CLOSE OF A PAINTING CLOSE OF ONE OF THE ARTISTS WHO WORK THERE, FABIA SCHNOOR ARTIST FABIA SCHNOOR (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) ARTIST, FABIA SCHNOOR, SAYING: "'The marvelous port', this entire area we are in, is being affected by all these transformations because of foreign pressure from around the globe and I think this has to benefit us as well, not only the people from abroad. So I think the city has to take advantage of these transformations after these important events (the World Cup and the Olympic Games)." ARTIST WALKING INSIDE HER STUDIO SCULPTURE VARIOUS OF THE INSIDE OF AN ARTIST STUDIO, WHERE THERE IS HAPPENING AN EXHIBITION THAT HAPPENING TOGETHER WITH THE ARTRIO 2012 FAIR
- Embargoed: 26th September 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Brazil
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVAKNTNXJMFBITE9PSP7ZJ5QRL8
- Story Text: Artists in Rio de Janeiro have launched a campaign to overturn an eviction issued by businessmen who they say want to empty an old factory they use as a studio.
The building, which used to be the old Bhering factory, is located in Rio's historic port area which is being revitalised as the city prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and Olympics two years later.
The 1934 construction, which once produced chocolates and sweets, has been occupied for over three years by several artists who rented its rooms as studios.
But this month, following the building's auction, the group received an eviction letter ordering them to leave in 30 days.
The eviction order angered the artists, which also includes fashion designers and sound engineers, prompting them to launch a massive campaign against the company.
The artists said the incident only helped unite them and now they believe they have more strength to battle in court.
Artist, Rene Machado, said the group is using social media pages to stop the eviction process.
"This episode was very positive in a way because we had the opportunity to get to know each other and to start to organise ourselves, because before that everybody here The building has this natural and spontaneous capacity to bring together artists, who migrated (to the building) searching for more space and this created an interesting discussion and brought us together even more now that we had to mobilize," he said.
With the help of lawyers, the artists have managed to encourage Mayor Eduardo Paes to sign two decrees -- one stating the building is a historic and cultural sight and another banning its expropriation.
However their future is still uncertain. The second decree has not received full approval since an agreement must be reached with the company that purchased the building.
Artist, Fabia Schnoor, said reviving Rio's port area also meant respecting those who already occupy the area for artistic purposes.
"'The marvelous port', this entire area we are in, is being affected by all these transformations because of foreign pressure from around the globe and I think this has to benefit us as well, not only the people from abroad. So I think the city has to take advantage of these transformations after these important events (the World Cup and the Olympic Games)," she said.
Meanwhile, the artists have put on an exhibit called "Open Factory" to win more popular support for their cause.
More than 50 artists are opening their studios to show off their works to the public. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, illustrations and even performances will be held throughout the month.
The exhibition is being held alongside the massive ArtRio fair, which will gather the world's top galleries and artists in the port area. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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