Brastilo: A Photographer’s Diary, Part 3 – “Urban meets Nature”

The following is an excerpt from the journal of Eduardo Camara, the Brazilian photographer who worked on the Brastilo photo shoot.

Not too long after leaving Arpoador, we arrive at Copacabana. In the 50's it was called the "princess of the ocean" and a favorite destination for travelers in Brazil. This was largely due to the influx of aristocratic Europeans, who were the most common visitors. In fact, it is this influence that led to the modernist art walkways, the “Portuguese Mosaics” made with Portuguese rocks. Designed by the best tropical landscaper in the world, Burle Marx, along with Brazil's most famous designer, Oscar Niemeyer, this modernist aesthetic defined a trend that would become modernist architecture. The beach and the buildings show this combination between Urban (Neimeyer, the architect) and Nature (Marx, the landscaper).

 

Following the beaches we arrive at Botafogo Bay, often seen in posters of the city.  The Sugar Loaf is a bucolic part of town that is at the foot of the URCA Mountain.  This location highlights the curves of the mountains, and the light provides nice shapes that really show the grandness of Brazil's natural resources.

Oscar Niemeyer, who will celebrate his 100th birthday this year, always says that his biggest influences are the curves of the mountains and beautiful women.