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'The things we talked about are all in Niemeyer's superbly crafted memoirs, The Curves of Time: the politics, the love of mountains, beaches and sea, the curved line, beautiful women...' (Guardian)'The book is a symphony of blues and grey, beautiful to handle.' (Times Literary Supplement)
Product Description
In this first ever English-language edition of Oscar Niemeyer's memoirs, the architect reveals how his many passions - among them his large family, many friends, the sensuous landscape of Brazil, women, Communism, art and literature - have all influenced his life and in turn inspired his architecture.Born in Rio de Janeiro, Niemeyer graduated from the National School of Fine Arts in 1934. As a student he worked in the office of Lucio Costa, and on graduation he began collaborating with Le Corbusier on a new Ministry of Education and Health Building in Rio. Yet, in contrast to the International Style, Niemeyer's curvilinear forms reflected Brazil's lush, undulating landscape and the emotive style of its music and dance. Here Niemeyer recounts his life in an informal, fluid narrative that moves from his childhood in Rio, through to friendships with intellectuals and politicians such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Fidel Castro, to tales of adventurous road trips. The book includes 40 specially-made sketches by Niemeyer, a chronology of his notes and an index.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Its not important that it is about an architect as it does not really discuss the concrete aspects of his profession. However the formalism of his profession and the difficulty of it is portrayed by someone who was at the helm of a career that was asked to relate form to so many buildings. It is notable also for portrayals of his contemporaries. A book that flies of the page and evokes the intellectualism and the sensous nature of a pursuit of genuine creative realisation.It has an affinity with me.moir by vic reeves. I wrote this review because I saw how popular that book was.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Niemeyer looks back
29 Sep 2002
Format:Hardcover
Niemeyer looks back in a non-linear fashion at his life, which spans most of the 20th century. He talks about his friendships with presidents, musicians, radicals, architects and drunkards, stressing the things that made them most human. A good read, not only for architecture fans but for anyone who is interested in Brazil. The translator includes detailed footnotes explaining the names, places and buildings. I found it surprising to find out what a Bohemian Niemeyer is and the delight he has in telling stories of adventures with his pals in Brazilian brothels. He mentions Henry Miller as one of his favorite writers and at times the influence is evident (although Niemeyer is too classy to go into sordid detail). A poignant read by an atheist who knows the end is near and is admitedly afraid of death, who values family and friendship above art.
illustrate & exclaim...
27 April 2009
Format:Paperback
An unceremonious autobiography that aims to capture the enthusiasm for life, the Brazilian landscape, many loves and friendships of master architect Oscar Neimeyer. More than a chronological documentation of his life, it reads as an emotional reflection of the social and political influences that shaped his thoughts and his works. Reissued on the centenary of his birth, it paints a personal and moreover a historical glimpse of his contribution to modern architecture. The informality of the book aside - original sketches by the architect adorn the pages, seeking to illustrate and exclaim where the story or perhaps his memory falls short.
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