The construction of the Evictions Museum was attended by students from the undergraduate course in Architecture and Urbanism, at Anhanguera University, under the coordination of professor, architect and urban planner Diana Bogado.
Between April and May 2016, students built seven sculptures, made from the rubble. Each piece represented a significant site that had been evicted. The choice was made based on memory workshops held with residents, former residents and supporters of Vila Autódromo.
DESTINATION OF SCULPTURES
With the community being used as a major construction site for the Olympic Park – one of the strategies used to pressure residents and compel families that resisted accepting the Rio de Janeiro City Hall’s proposal – the sculpture of “Suporte dos Males” (Support of Evils) and part of the sculpture “Espaço Ocupa e Casa da Dona Conceição” (Space Occupy and Ms. Conceição’s House) were destroyed by tractors.
The residents of Vila Autódromo, in constant dialogue with construction workers about the importance of the sculpture collection, tried to guarantee the safeguarding of the material. With the understanding of the work developed by the Evictions Museum, the workers started to warn the residents when they would need a specific space and, in this way, the sculptures were replaced in other parts of the territory.
Due to the use of material scraps, with little possibility of long-term conservation, the sculptures of “Vila de Todos os Santos” (All Saints Community) and “A luz que não se apaga” (The light that does not go out) ended up not resisting the climatic conditions.
Check out more information about the concepts and authors of each piece below:
1 – “All Saints Community / Vila de Todos os Santos”: in honor of the existing Candomblé Religion Centre in the community. A piece made by student Pedro Nunes.
2 – “The Multifaceted Penha / Penha de muitas faces” : sculpture in homage to the house of Mrs. Maria da Penha Macena, made by the student Diego Goulart. The piece refers to the eviction of Mrs. Penha on International Women’s Day.
3 – “Support of Evils / Suporte dos males”: sculpture in homage to Mrs. Jane Nascimento, created by the student Gisele Quintanilha. The sculpture recalls the role of Mrs. Jane in the social struggles of Vila Autódromo.
4 – “The Light That Does Not Go Out / A luz que não se apaga”: the only sculpture that relates to a building that has not been evicted – the São José Operário Church. The work created by students Elisângela Bueno and Marcos Oliveira brings elements that allude to the idea of welcoming.
5 – “Sweet childhood / Doce infância”: sculpture in honor of the playground, made by Marcos Oliveira and Ana Angélica.
6 – “Space Occupy and Mrs Conceição’s House / Espaço Ocupa e Casa da Dona Conceição” : sculpture by Arianna de Souza Alves. The color of the piece refers to the parties that took place in the so-called Espaço Ocupa. Mrs Conceição Queiroz, who was a neighbor of the site, had a very welcoming role in the community’s cultural events.
7 – “The Association is Me / A Associação sou eu”: (The Association is Me): sculpture in honor of the Residents’ Association, made by students Tiago Guedes and Geisler Benevuto. The sculpture brings elements that were in the Residents’ Association and its title refers to a resistance phrase used by the community members when the site was evicted.
PHoto : RioOnWatch