Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha celebrated through architecture and art

The Conjunto Moderno da Pampulha, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, remains a cornerstone of Brazilian architectural identity. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer between 1940 and 1943, the complex is celebrated for its integration of reinforced concrete, tropical landscaping by Roberto Burle Marx, and artistic elements such as Candido Portinari’s tile panels and Alfredo Ceschiatti’s sculptures.

Reflecting on this legacy, the exhibition ‘Alienígenas do baile’ is currently being held at the Museu Universitário de Arte (MUnA) in Uberlândia. The exhibition, featuring artists Gabriela De Laurentiis and João Mascaro, explores the evolution of the modernist landscape. Using diverse media including photography, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing, the show examines how the original architectural vision has been transformed by ecological shifts and cultural appropriations over time.