Very imposing, talipot palms can reach up to 25 meters high and own the largest set of flowers of the plant kingdom, making an expanded halo beyond its leaves. Its flowering, a unique event during its lifetime, takes place between the age of 40 and 80 years. Millions of hermaphrodite flowers and thousands of seeds … Continued
Reaching up to 30 meters high, the copaíba’s fruits are edible for birds. The wood can be used in cabinetry, as well as in civil and naval construction. Extracted directly from the trunk, the copaíba’s oil-resin is used as fuel for diesel engines and broadly used in popular medicine. It can also be employed in … Continued
The Brazilwood or Pau-Brasil is the tree that lends its name to the country. It has several thorns on the youngest branches and usually blooms in spring. It was very used in civil and naval construction, however, its main value lays in the ‘brazilin,’ a dye obtained from the log and very used to dye … Continued
Its name comes from the Tupi term yekïti’bá, ‘stiff trunk tree,’ due to its lasting, hardwood. Considered the biggest tree of the Atlantic Forest (reaching up to 30 meters high and 4 meters diameter), it is often found in the east part of Brazil. It can live up to 500 years, being excellent in preserving … Continued
At the Lago Novo, one can easily admire the Vellozia compacta, known as canela-de-ema (literally shin of rhea). This species lives well in natural fields on top of mountain ranges, under rocky outcrops. Seeing its delicate purple flowers, one can find it hard to imagine that it is used to stand lack of water, continuous … Continued
Installed in one of the highest points of Instituto Inhotim, Beehive Bunker (2006) simulates a warlike protection structure, sort of a surveillance post that can be occupied by one single person. The use of this kind of solitary fortification, a military structure made popular during World War II (1939-1945), reflects Chris Burden’s concern with political … Continued
In Elevazione (2001), Giuseppe Penone restates his interest in nature not only by using organic and perishable elements, but specially with the incorporation of the passage of time as a work element. Here, a fallen centenary chestnut tree found in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles (France) was molded and later cast in bronze. … Continued
This work by Tiravanija makes reference to Maison Tropicale (tropical house, 1951), a kind of precast habitation for those living in the French colonies of the African continent, developed by the architect Jean Prouvé (1901-1984). Inside the work, there are some palm trees species, videos, and displays with objects related to the Arecaceae family, of … Continued
The sculpture created by Robert Irwin is placed in the highest spot of the visiting area at Instituto Inhotim. The artist was based on an architectural language present in constructions made of precast concrete molds. The tilted walls compose an octagonal structure sheltering yellow, triangular, and textured glasses on top of each wall. Shifting during … Continued
As duas obras têm como ponto central elementos fundamentais para a produção da artista: peso e equilíbrio. Embrionário (2003), ao lado, é a primeira escultura de Elisa Bracher a manter a forma bruta do tronco. A articulação entre as peças, que somam 13 toneladas, se dá por uma dinâmica de apoio e de tensão entre suas … Continued