Oscar Niemeyer's Poetry of Form Sounds in Moscow

The "Oscar Niemeyer. Poetry of Form" exhibition has opened in State Shchusev Architecture Museum; it shows the creative work of probably the most famous architect of contemporary times, the master whose style has to a great extent determined the development of the 20th and 21st centuries architecture, it has been imitated a lot but still remains unequaled.

Niemeyer has built over five hundred buildings in 18 countries of the world and each of them is a legend in its own way. The Brazilian architect has earned acclaim at a level so high that his equally eminent colleagues could never dream about. His talent has withstood the pressure of time, distances and even political controversies. Niemeyer was awarded Lenin Prize in Moscow; he built the United Nations headquarters in New York and designed the new capital for his native Brazil right from scratch… All this has resulted in Pritzker Prize and a street named after the architect during his lifetime – such success seems impossible to outdo or even match.

On December 15 in Moscow the master's admirers celebrated his 100th jubilee. Across the world, in a Rio de Janeiro suburb, in his famous Casa das Canoas residence, the great architect heard over the phone the loud "Happy Birthday! – from Russia with Love" and replied "Spasibo- Thank You!" The master's grandson, Cado Niemeyer, who had arrived from Brazil for the event was hard put to hold back his tears while speakers were quoting Niemeyer the thinker and proclaiming that everything connected with his life and work commanded admiration.

The entire architect's creative life is reflected in sketches, drawings, photos and models that Russian Avantgarde Foundation has brought to Russia. A separate hall displays the designs developed by Niemeyer in the last three months – practically nobody has seen those works yet. Niemeyer corresponds with Sergey Gordeyev, Russian Avantgarde Foundation President. Being a senator representing the Perm Territory, Sergey Gordeyev is developing the general plan and layout for the urban development of Perm and consultations at such highest level as the Niemeyer's are priceless for that.

Niemeyer goes on creating and gladly shares the secrets of his success and inexhaustible inspiration:

"The main thing for an architect is daring to be just himself, daring to express himself in his creations, daring to invent new forms and shapes."

One can see the forms and shapes invented by Niemeyer, his drawings and his notes – on life and architecture – in the catalogue that Russian Avantgarde Foundation has published specially for the exhibition opening.

"The architecture has turned out well when it can be seen right after the main structures are completed," Niemeyer wrote.

"The main structures" at the Moscow exhibition of the master's work were completed as early as last week. On the weekend those attending the exposition opening ceremony coinciding with the architect's jubilee could already form their opinions: has the Niemeyer exhibition turned out as well as his architecture? The exposition will be accessible to the general public starting on December 18. It will be on till January 30, 2008, and, according to specialists, it promises to become a major event in the Moscow cultural life.