Inhotim Reopens with New Commissions and Reflects on Pandemic Survival
In August, Inhotim, located in Brumadinho, Brazil, and recognized as the largest open-air museum globally, unveiled new installations by artists Lucia Koch and Rommulo Vieira Conceição, along with an exhibition featuring Aleksandra Mir. This reopening came after a series of difficulties, including legal issues faced by founder Bernardo Paz in 2017, a yellow fever outbreak in 2018, and the tragic Vale dam disaster in January 2019 that resulted in over 250 fatalities. The museum also experienced a four-month closure in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. President Antonio Grassi referred to Inhotim as a 'vaccine for the soul.' Despite a drop in attendance from 5,000 to 1,000 visitors, it remained financially stable thanks to sponsors. A new management team, led by Lucas Pessôa as president, will assume control in January 2022.
Key facts
- Inhotim inaugurated new works by Lucia Koch and Rommulo Vieira Conceição in August.
- The museum faced prior crises including the 2019 Vale dam collapse that killed over 250 people.
- It closed for four months in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Daily visitor capacity is reduced from 5,000 to 1,000 due to health protocols.
- Annual budget is R$36-39 million, partially funded by founder Bernardo Paz.
- 80% of Inhotim's workers are residents of Brumadinho.
- Lucia Koch's 'Propaganda' uses billboard images of empty packaging in Brumadinho.
- A new management team led by Lucas Pessôa will start in January 2022.
Entities
Artists
- Lucia Koch
- Rommulo Vieira Conceição
- Aleksandra Mir
- Matthew Barney
- Tunga
- Yayoi Kusama
- Robert Irwin
- Claudia Andujar
- Bernardo Paz
- Antonio Grassi
- Lucas Pessôa
- Paula Azevedo
- Julieta González
- Douglas de Freitas
Institutions
- Inhotim
- Vale
- Itaú
- Barbosa Mello Construtora
Locations
- Brumadinho
- Brazil
- Belo Horizonte
- Lisbon
- São Paulo
- Porto Alegre
- Sicily
- England
- Poland