Cais das Artes Opens in Vitória with Sebastião Salgado's 'Amazônia'

The Cais das Artes, a cultural complex designed by architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha, has finally opened in Vitória, Espírito Santo, after years of delays. Construction began in 2010 with an initial 18-month timeline, but interruptions turned it into a symbol of unfulfilled promises. The complex, located on Enseada do Suá along Vitória Bay, includes exhibition areas, public spaces, and a 1,300-seat theater. It is the only work by Mendes da Rocha in his hometown. The inaugural exhibition is 'Amazônia' by Sebastião Salgado (1944-2025), featuring about 200 black-and-white photographs from seven years of expeditions in the Amazon rainforest, depicting rivers, mountains, and indigenous communities. Curated by Lélia Wanick Salgado, the exhibition includes a soundtrack by Jean-Michel Jarre using forest sounds and indigenous recordings. Before arriving in Espírito Santo, the show toured Paris, London, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, attracting over 1.5 million visitors worldwide. Culture Secretary Fabrício Noronha noted that the city has embraced the space. The exhibition runs until July 5. Noronha highlighted the importance of continued public policies and the role of society, businesses, and cultural institutions in sustaining the cultural momentum.