Ode to Oscar

The incredible architect Oscar Niemeyer died yesterday. At the particularly ripe old age of 104. I'd like to think his prolific creativity had a hand in that number. You can read a little more about him here, and see more examples of his work here. He was, most certainly, a Brazilian national treasure.
When we lived in Brazil we were lucky enough to visit this incredible church, which is one of my favourites.
 "Igreja de Sao Francisco de Assis"

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And we walked past this one in Belo Horizonte almost every day...

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It should be noted that the stunning park across from this building (and the neighbouring Governor's palace) had some of the only grass in the city, which we were NOT allowed to walk on. It was maintained just in case the Governor glanced out the window to check if it was still green. And still his alone.
I never saw anyone of importance use that park, just lots of families, rollerbladers and beggars crowding the footpaths and casting longing glances at the luscious and forbidden grass. On our first trip to the zoo in Brazil, Poppet was more interested in the grass than the animals. It was time to move on...

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But I was talking about Oscar. And I think his work speaks for itself.

image via here

Brazil is very lucky to have so many of his buildings to cherish and admire. I hope to return one day to see the rest of Oscar's work and to show Poppet this beautiful but conflicted country we once called home.