“Bar Paris” by Giancarlo Neri. Images from O Globo
Rio’s public art programme, which intended to begin in time for the 2016 Olympics, has suffered further budget cuts, leading to the cancellation of a previously approved artwork by Giancarlo Neri. The artist’s “Bar Paris” installation, which comprises 1,415 chairs with lights attached to them, was to be unveiled at a public square in the Glória neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro. Having already exhibited at this precise location back in 2012, the news was not taken lightly by the artist nor the public. In fact, Giancarlo Neri posted a photo on his Facebook account of Marcelo Calero, the Brazilian Minister of Culture, with a caption that ironically thanks him “for cancelling all the cultural projects of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro; including our own, of course.”
The cuts to the public art programme came after the Brazilian government sought to close the Ministry of Culture in order to reduce spending. As a result, artists and citizens in Brazil started protesting the abrupt decision, subsequently forcing the interim president Michel Temer to reinstate the ministry even though funds would remain scarce. What is still a mystery, however, is the fact that although so many projects were cancelled, JR’s two public art installations for the Rio Olympics did go through. The anonymous artist’s involvement is of course great news, but the reason behind it remains unknown, much like the ongoing battle between WhatsApp and the Brazilian court system.
Thankfully, JR’s two public art installations have made it through the political instabilities of the South American country and can still be found adorning the skyline on a high-rise residential building in The Marvelous City’s Flamengo neighbourhood and at Barra da Tijuca’s seaside.
Left: Image of the Scaffolding used for the installation. Right: Public Art Installation in Barra da Tijuca, by JR. Images from Boredpanda
A public art Installation of Mohamed, a Sudanese athlete who couldn’t make it to the Games because of an injury, by JR, in Rio de Janeiro’s Flamengo neighbourhood. Image from DigitalRev
JR’s installations will be on show in Rio de Janeiro until 28 August 2016