Space invaders: actors and architects collaborate on the hanging gardens of Brazil.Brazilian cities add a great deal to the diversity of the world's urban landscape. The favelas of Rio are well known as self-governing communities, randomly assembled and built without permission or in accordance with any building regulations. Their tumble-down, multi-layered buildings are a sight, a sound and a smell to behold be·hold v. be·held , be·hold·ing, be·holds v.tr. 1. a. To perceive by the visual faculty; see: beheld a tiny figure in the distance. b. , and are truly phenomenal. The city of Belo Horizonte Belo Horizonte (bəl'  rēzôN`tĭ) [Port.,=beautiful horizon], city (1996 pop. 2,091,770), capital of Minas Gerais state, E Brazil. , 280 miles
north of Rio, has equally unique characteristics. However, ironically in
this instance these exist because of its adherence to strict building
codes. Since the mid 1990s, the Buritis neighbourhood (a middle-class
borough) has developed with a bland uniformity that pays no regard to
the unique topography topography (təpŏg`rəfē), description or representation of the features and configuration of land surfaces. Topographic maps use symbols and coloring, with particular attention given to the shape and elevations of terrain. of its land. With developments limited to a
maximum of four storeys, no building is permitted to optimise the
irregularity A defect, failure, or mistake in a legal proceeding or lawsuit; a departure from a prescribed rule or regulation.An irregularity is not an unlawful act, however, in certain instances, it is sufficiently serious to render a lawsuit invalid. of the landscape. Instead in order to achieve efficient interrelationships on a notional ground plane, the topography has been flattened flat·ten v. flat·tened, flat·ten·ing, flat·tens v.tr. 1. To make flat or flatter. 2. To knock down; lay low: The boxer was flattened with one punch. by a series of elevated concrete platforms. These structures form an eerie underworld Underworld See also Hell. Unfaithfulness (See FAITHLESSNESS.) Ungratefulness (See INGRATITUDE.) Unkindness (See CRUELTY, INHOSPITALITY.) Aidoneus epithet of Hades. [Gk. Myth. between natural and manmade topographies, with the so-called palafittes creating spaces that are taller than the buildings they support. Unsurprisingly, they have inspired architects and artists to consider how such huge and varied volumes could be more effectively utilised. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When presented to the jury, the unique qualities of this urban landscape quickly caught its attention. In many respects, beyond recognition given to the manner in which the architects adapted the spaces to their new uses, the project was considered to provide an exemplary model of how apparently unworkable and wretched sites can be transformed. In varying degrees most cities have sites that could more effectively be intensified, and as such this work should inspire others to make similar propositions. Recognising the dramatic nature of these regularised caverns, a group of actors and architects collaborated with two projects which started in 2001 when a street theatre company were considering the location of their next play. The first, Topographical Amnesias 1, integrated timber walkways, ramps, stairs and platforms, which combined to make space for the performance of the play. The second more ambitious project, Topographical Amnesias II, extended the interventions to incorporate suspended gardens that included formal arrangements of unruly weeds that commonly invade and overtake o·ver·take tr.v. o·ver·took , o·ver·tak·en , o·ver·tak·ing, o·ver·takes 1. a. To catch up with; draw even or level with. b. To pass after catching up with. 2. empty urban plots. In their regularised planters Planters is an American snack food company under Kraft Foods manufacturing, best known for its nuts and the Mr. Peanut icon that symbolizes them. Started by Italian immigrants Amedeo Obici and Mario Peruzzi in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in 1906, it was incorporated in 1908 , these plants helped bring a new meaning to the notion of a neglected urban landscape. R. G. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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