As if we didn’t have reason enough to visit Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian duo Os Gêmeos (“The Twins”) just gave us another. Their newest project, which was created with Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos, is called The Bunker. The permanent installation was unveiled to the public January 31 and is intended to “unite the Brazilian folk art from the Museu Casa do Pontal with contemporary art.”
The domed bunker is made from concrete and iron, hiding a life-size plastic sculpture within. The interior emits an enticing golden glow that seems to mimic the sun. When the door is shut, the light shines through a round peephole on the door and through a rectangular cut in the back. For anyone familiar with Os Gêmeos’ street art, the human figure inside will be very familiar since it is the same stylistic representation of mankind that they have been drawing on buildings since the late 1980’s.
Though these images are amazing, we can only imagine how beautiful The Bunker must look in person. The artists sketched illustrations (featuring crumbling buildings, missiles, telephone poles, and portraits) on the interior walls, as if the figure drew them himself from memories of life outside of the bunker.
“We are very happy to have started in 2015 with this work, a special partnership with the Pontal Museum and a very important purpose. To mix our work with the Brazilian folk art, which is a great passion ours, and to share it with people in a very different way,” says Os Gêmeos. “The aim is to lose the fear to face, this is the role of art. Also to protect.”
The Bunker can be found in the Casa do Pontal Museum’s gardens, where guests will also be treated to several sculptures, architectural projects, and paintings by other artists.
While you’re in Brazil, make sure to visit Os Gêmeos’ collaboration with French artist and friend JR, which can be found in the streets of São Paulo. The mural comments on water shortages that are becoming a major problem in several Brazil states.
