Rio's Museum of Image and Sound Opens After 16-Year Delay
On May 8, the Museum of Image and Sound (MIS-RJ) in Rio de Janeiro will finally open its doors after 16 years of planning and development. The structure spans 10,000 square meters and consists of eight floors, along with a rooftop, featuring a façade made of glass and aluminum panels. Created by the architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the design pays tribute to Roberto Burle Marx's iconic sidewalk. Initially announced in 2009, the project encountered challenges related to urban redevelopment for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, including funding halts and demolition protests. After a funding boost of 329.2 million reais ($62.5 million), construction resumed in 2021. The museum houses over 650,000 audiovisual items, with inaugural exhibits showcasing photographers Augusto Malta and Guilherme Santos. Admission costs 260 reais ($50), while locals can enter for free; 22% of visitors may choose to extend their stay for a visit.
Key facts
- MIS-RJ opens 8 May after 16 years of development
- 10,000-sq.-m building with eight floors, rooftop, two basement levels
- Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, honoring Roberto Burle Marx
- Project announced in 2009, faced controversy over urban redevelopment and sex worker displacement
- Funding suspended in 2016 due to economic downturn and Rousseff impeachment
- Construction resumed in 2021 with 329.2m reais ($62.5m) budget
- Corporate donors: Itaú, Vale, Rede Globo
- Collection of over 650,000 audiovisual objects including works by Gilberto Gil, Tom Jobim, Chico Buarque
Entities
Artists
- Roberto Burle Marx
- Candido Portinari
- Eliseu Visconti
- Gilberto Gil
- Tom Jobim
- Chico Buarque
- Augusto Malta
- Guilherme Santos
Institutions
- Museum of Image and Sound (MIS-RJ)
- Diller Scofidio + Renfro
- Itaú
- Vale
- Rede Globo
- The Art Newspaper
Locations
- Rio de Janeiro
- Brazil
- Copacabana Beach
- Avenida Atlântica
- Praça XV
- Lapa