Masp inaugurates underground passage in São Paulo

The Museu de Arte de São Paulo (Masp) is inaugurating a 50-meter underground passage beneath Avenida Paulista to connect its two buildings. This project is noted as the first underground construction of this scale within a museum in Latin America.

The tunnel features three skylights that allow natural light to enter and provide views of pedestrians on the sidewalk above. Beyond facilitating the safe and comfortable transport of artworks and equipment between buildings, the passage serves as an immersive route for visitors.

The passage features a new 98-meter mural by renowned artist Beatriz Milhazes titled ‘Pietrolina’. The work, which is Milhazes’ largest piece to date, combines the names of the museum’s founders, Lina Bo Bardi and Pietro Maria Bardi. The artist developed the mural using an acrylic palette, inspired by her 2020 painting ‘Avenida Paulista’.