20 June
10:00 - 10:40
Swarming Futures: ambiguities and opportunities in designing Brazilian cities

Ricardo de Ostos, Naja & deOstos

To kick off International Sunday Ricardo de Ostos of London based studio, Naja & deOstos, explores the history of future visions embodied in Brazilian Cities, the role of speculation and large scale urban propositions embedded in Brazilian culture. For both economical and political reasons, infrastructure has been created and deployed in distant parts of the country. Brazil has experienced fast urbanization, aided by the unique mix of technological dexterity and DIY. City Planning and unplanned development coexist simultaneously. We will gain an insight into the emergence of these archaeologies of the future and their practical and ideological implications. Current proposals for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will be discussed alongside innovative architectural works by emerging Brazilian architects. We will see Brazil’s optimism related to yesterday’s futures. The talk will be illustrated by letters from writers, explorers’ diaries, historical narratives and satirical cartoons. The discussion is accompanying the ‘Swarming Futures’ exhibition at the Embassy of Brazil.

For more information about the exhibition please visit www.gallery32.org.uk