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Reading time 2 min

Realized utopia

Redação Inhotim

Inhotim was created in an intuitive way; it was not the outcome of intentional, systematic planning. With the passage of time, I began to perceive that what we were putting together went beyond the nature of individual ownership. The overall set consisting of the botanical collection coupled with the art collection had a cultural value that should be an asset available to everyone.

 

Inhotim has taken on real outlines of the new model of life, which foreshadows post-contemporary life. The contact with culture, with nature, with artistic manifestations and with beauty arouses people’s curiosity and stimulates them to learn how to become better in the present and future. Inhotim is a paradigm in the world, there is nothing else like it.

 

But if all of this sounds like an utopia, I heard art critic Hans Ulrich Obrist say, when he was at Inhotim: ‘This is a realized utopia’.”

 

Want to know a little more about the philosophy of the founder of Inhotim? So watch the lecture Bernardo Paz made at the Oasis Summit, in Los Angeles/USA.

 

Reading time 3 min

Where does the name Inhotim come from?

Redação Inhotim

No one knows for sure where the name Inhotim comes from, but its origin generates a lot of curiosity among park visitors and employees. One of the best known theories relates the word to an English miner, “Sir Timothy”, who would have lived in the area where the Institute is today. The word “Sir”, translated into Portuguese as “Senhor”, was often pronounced simply as “Nho”. Thus, “Sir Timothy” would have become “Nho Tim”.

 

Another story, evidenced by a notice served on May 26, 1865, registers the existence of a place called “nhotim”, where João Rodrigues Ribeiro, son of Joaquim Rodrigues Ribeiro lived. In one of the receipts attached to the old document, there is a signature in which the location is spelled as “Nhoquim”.

 

The name “Joaquim” also appears in the story told by Dona Elsa, who lives in the Brumadinho region. She offers a variation of the version that involves the English miner, “What I remember people saying is that there was a landowner who was named Joaquim, I think, and his nickname was Tim. So, he was “Senhor Tim”, and became NHÔ TIM. In the old times, we didn’t say “senhor”, we used to say “nhô”. And that’s where the name Inhotim came from”.

 

There is also a story of the journey made by English engineer James Wells throughout Brazil between 1868 and 1886. At some point, he recalls a conversation he had with an African-Brazilian worker on a road near Brumadinho. Local mode of speech indicates that the word Inhotim may be a variation of the expression used by slaves to say yes, sir (in Portuguese: sim, senhor): “N’hor sim”. The existence of six former-slave communities in the municipality of Brumadinho, four of which are acknowledged by the Palmares formation, reinforces this hypothesis.

 

These are some of the possible explanations for the Institute’s name, collected by the Inhotim Center of Memory and Heritage (CIMP) . CIMP was created back in 2008 to rescue the region’s stories and traditions and is one of the projects carried out by the Institute with neighboring communities.

 

Have you ever heard a different story about the origin of the name Inhotim? Share it with us!

Reading time 4 min

… so far

Everton Silva

When I started my career at Inhotim in 2006, some of my colleagues had already been helping plant the seed of the project we have today. My story at Inhotim is not that long. For instance, some people have been working here for over 20 years, when the region still housed a village called Inhotim, the birthplace of what would become an international institute, a reference in not only Brazil but also worldwide. Anyway, I also consider myself an important part of this beautiful journey.

 

Since my arrival at Inhotim, things have changed in a wonderful way. Eight years ago the park was not like it is today, but it was already beyond anything I had ever seen. I was born in a former-slave community (known as quilombo) and, when I was 12, I moved to Brumadinho with my grandmother, who had to change jobs. At that time, the institute had a different name, less visibility and only received private schools and some special guests. It was very simple, with a few employees in the education area. Unlike today, there wasn’t one single monitor.

 

I arrived at the institution to take care of the waterfowl and soon became known as the duck boy. I was extremely pleased with my job. But one of the most crucial thing in my life happened at this time: I started my undergraduate studies in History. I confess that, at first, it was a bit tricky due to the cultural shock I experienced. I wasn’t very intimate with studying, after all, in my family I had neither encouragement to do such thing, nor the reference of other family members pursuing a college education.

 

I finished college in 2009 and was transferred, closing a fantastic cycle in my life. I then started working at the Environmental Education Department at Inhotim. As a visitation mediator, what I loved the most was working with the students taking part in the Inhotim Escola program. They were mostly very poor kids, and all they needed in order to have a fantastic day was for someone to look at them, and care for them.

 

The year of 2010 brought a lot of changes. I started law school. I was putting another life project into practice. I was once again transferred, this time into the Department of Inclusion and Citizen Empowerment of the institute, where I still work today. The work my colleagues and I do is not simple, but the achievements are rewarding. I have carried out projects with the Association of Recyclable Materials of Brumadinho (Ascavap), former-slave communities (referred to as quilombola) and with the program Inhotim para Todos (Inhotim for All). Each one of these projects has its own specificities, but they are all rewarding because they work directly on the transformation of the individual as a social being.

 

This is my story at Inhotim, so far.

 

Reading time 6 min

Melodies that lull your dreams

Redação Inhotim

Music to make you dream high. This is what Inhotim’s new music project coordinator, Maestro César Timóteo, keeps in mind when he plans the future.  Son of a pianist mother, César began studying the violin as a child. Today, as a violinist, opera singer and conductor, he seeks to awaken the musicality and talent of each student taking part in the projects he will be in charge of. The Maestro talked to Inhotim’s Blog and told us a little bit about his career and experiences in this new phase of his life.

 

 

 

Blog do Inhotim – Tell us a bit about your career in music.

 

César Timóteo – I can´t single out the exact moment music really got me.  My mother is a pianist and this has influenced me a great deal.  Through her, I was able to be in contact with is fascinating art from a very early age.  I started studying the violin when I was nine, and became a professional violinist in my teenage years.  Later, I also got my Opera Singing Degree, taking part in performances as a soloist in operas and religious plays.  After working as a violinist and singer for several years, I decided to study orchestral conducting, which became my main occupation in music.  I had the opportunity to conduct orchestras in Brazil and abroad, in addition to working with great music professionals, who have significantly influenced me. Some of these them I would like to mention are violinist Max Teppich and Maestro Isaac Karabtchevsky.   

 

 

 BI – What is your opinion on the musical potential of Brumadinho and its residents? 

 

CT – Music is part of the development of all communities. It is a necessity.  Brumadinho is no different. We have to provide opportunities for people to learn it, awakening the musicality within them.   Leaning music, whether by means of a musical instrument or signing, tends to organize and blossom out this musicality, leading to balance, development and the possibility of dreaming higher.  I have no doubt that Brumadinho is filled with music talents, which will certainly be revealed.  

 

 

BI – Which projects are you going to be coordinating? Talk a bit more about each one of them.

 

CT – Youth, Adult and Kid’s Choirs and the School for Strings. These projects are carried out by Inhotim, sponsored by Vale do Rio Doce and are part of an initiative of the Department of Culture.  In 2014, we are going to work in a more unified way, with a team of guest teachers from Belo Horizonte. These projects are intended to promote social, musical and artistic development in communities located at Vale Médio do Paraopeba, which includes youngsters from Brumadinho, Mario Campos and Bonfim.  Most of the students come from the public school system and, with the projects, they have the opportunity to take free theoretical and practical lessons.

 

 Classes take place on a weekly basis and the students enrolled are able to study vocal technique and music theory, in addition to practice instruments such as:  violin, viola, cello and bass.  During choir and orchestra practices, students are able to experience music as part of a group, developing their harmonic perception and cooperative work.  Enrollment happens twice a year and those interested in participating must apply at the project headquarter in Brumadinho. 

 

 

BI – In 2014, what’s new when it comes to the projects developed by Inhotim?

 

CT – We are going to work to unify music-related social projects, considering a nationwide reach.  It is important to consolidate actions in Brumadinho and surrounding areas, so that some time from now we can also reach other towns.  We are going to value joint actions.  The music experience must happen in a less individual and more collective way.  We are also going to  purchase two new pianos to be used in choir activities, as well as in musical perception classes. Also, we will be able to rely on new facilities in Brumadinho, which will be larger and more suitable for classes and rehearsals. 

 

 

BI – What are your expectations for this new journey with the students taking part in the projects?

 

CT – I want to closely monitor the development of each student. It is important to know them, so that we can guide them in the right direction.  I hope to see their musical growth, to see them dreaming with new possibilities.   Art does that.  I hope music learning and musical practice will influence the human development of students as well as of Brumadinho community.  I hope this can bring a positive effect to their decisions and attitudes, promoting better quality of life and improving the way they live in society.

Reading time 6 min

Tips to visit Inhotim

Redação Inhotim

How do I get there? Is it possible to visit the whole Park in one single day? Where can I stay near there? How much is the ticket? Do they have parking facilities? I’m going straight from the airport, where I can store my luggage? Can I take a guided tour?

 

If Inhotim is part of your wish list to 2014, at some point you will come across some of these questions. Enjoy the tips and start planning your visit.

 

 

The first step is to know how to get there.

 

Inhotim is located in Brumadinho (MG), about 60 km from Belo Horizonte. To calculate the best route for your trip, just click here (http://www.inhotim.org.br/visite/como-chegar). If you are in Belo Horizonte, on average, it will take you 90 minutes to drive to Inhotim. The parking lot at the park is free of charge. However, if you fly in, you can rent a car or take a taxi. It takes about  2 hours from Confins airport to the park or one and a half hour from Pampulha airport. The good news is that Inhotim has lockers for your handbags and luggage. You can also get there by bus. Saritur bus company has a line that goes from the Belo Horizonte bus station, located downtown, straight to the park, Tuesdays through Sundays . Check out  the timetables and bus fares here.

 

Where to stay.

 

Okay, now that you already know how to get there, you need to decide if you are going to stay in Brumadinho or in Belo Horizonte. Inhotim has 110 hectares of visitation area, which means you won’t be able to visit the entire park in just one day. If you are in Belo Horizonte and have a day off, you will certainly enjoy the visit. But if Inhotim is your main destination, a three-day visit is your best option. This way, you can walk, reflect and enjoy the environment with no need to hurry. Check out the lodging options here. 

 

And now what?

 

Purchased airline tickets, hotel reservation, it’s time to plan your visit to the park. Since Inhotim is a place unlike any other you’ve ever visited, there are some tips that can make your visit there even better. Besides being a Contemporary Art Center, Inhotim is also a Botanical Garden. Art galleries are surrounded by palm trees, flowers, lakes and plenty of wooden benches. Yes, art in the middle of nature. That’s why walking is an important part of the visit. To save some time, a good tip is to buy your ticket in advance. And if necessary, you can also rent internal transportation on our electric carts. Click here to purchase your ticket.

 

Another great tip is to navigate through the park before going there. The interactive map helps you decide routes, learn about the galleries and even get better acquainted with some of the artworks. Speaking of delving into the park, here  you can learn about the guided visits that happen at Inhotim. Food service points are strategically located. Check out each one of them. Before you hit the road, it’s worth reading the visitation rules, so that everything will run as planned.

 

If you made it this far, you are very close to accomplishing your goal. Inhotim is an unforgettable place. Enjoy!