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Reading time 13 min

About Inhotim

Redação Inhotim

The Instituto Inhotim is a Contemporary Art Center and Botanical Garden located in Brumadinho, 60 km away from Belo Horizonte, MG. Its 140 hectare visitation area is made up of forest fragments and gardens, with an extensive collection of rare tropical species and where contemporary art works of international relevance are installed.

Inhotim was conceived by the Minas-born entrepreneur Bernardo Paz and was opened to the public in 2006. It is strongly committed with the development of the community in which it is included. The Institute participates actively in the making of policies for the improvement of the quality of life in the region, either in partnerships with the public administration and with the private sector or acting independently.

The structure and organization of the space guarantee a singular venue. In addition to breaking away from the architecture and the exhibition and visitation modes that are associated to conventional museums, the Institute offers to its visitors an opportunity of fruition and brings works of art and environmental circuits close together. Over 2 million people have visited this singular venue, one of the main touristic and cultural destinations in Minas Gerais and in Brazil.

The Inhotim Institute is a nonprofit private entity qualified by the Minas Gerais State Administration and by the Federal Administration as a Public Interest Non-Governmental Organization (OSCIP, initials in Portuguese). Inhotim actions are supported by the Federal Act for Cultural Incentive of the Ministry of Culture.

Contemporary Art
Paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, videos and installations by over 100 renowned Brazilian and international artists from 30 different countries make up Instituto Inhotim’s collection. From a collection of over 1.300 works, about 500 pieces are currently on display. The pieces have been produced in Brazil and abroad from the 1960s to the current days. They are located outdoors on the Inhotim Botanical Garden or exhibited in galleries.

Four of the 23 pavilions are dedicated to temporary exhibits – the Lago, Fonte, Praça and Mata galleries. Each gallery has approximately 1000 square meters and large open spaces which allow for a versatile use of the area for showing videos, installations, paintings or sculptures. Every two years these spaces present a new show to introduce the Institute’s new acquisitions and to create re-interpretations of the collection. In addition, new individual projects are inaugurated every year, making Inhotim a place of constant evolution.

The 19 permanent galleries have been developed specifically to receive works by Tunga, Cildo Meireles, Miguel Rio Branco, Hélio Oiticica & Neville

d’Almeida, Adriana Varejão, Doris Salcedo, Victor Grippo, Matthew Barney, Rivane Neuenschwander, Valeska Soares, Janet Cardiff & George Miller, Doug Aitken, Marilá Dardot, Lygia Pape, Carlos Garaicoa, Cristina Iglesias, Carroll Dunham and Claudia Andujar.

Botanical Garden
Instituto Inhotim is concerned with the environment and is located amid a forest area which is a remnant of the Atlantic Rain Forest and the Cerrado, or Brazilian savanna: two of the richest environments in terms of biodiversity and, at the same time, two of the most endangered environments in the planet, regarded as world hotspots.

From the 140 hectares of the area made up of secondary semideciduous seasonal forests, 35 are gardens. Adding to this extensive portion of land is an area protected as Natural Heritage Private Reserve which, since May 2010, is aimed at collaborating permanently with the conservation of biodiversity by connecting Inhotim to the south of the Espinhaço Mountain Chain, considered as one of the most important plant diversity centers in the world.

The landscape works for the exuberant gardens which would eventually make up Instituto Inhotim initiated in the mid-1980s. Along time, numerous species of palm trees and native Brazilian and exotic trees from several regions in the world were acquired and adapted themselves very well to the grounds. The gardens value the luxuriance of the flora and integrate it in a spontaneous, harmonic way with the landscape and the lakes by means of pathways, stairways and patios built upon natural quartzite rock formations. These innovations have become popular in Brazilian landscape art.

In 2010 the Institute’s expressive collection allowed for its recognition as a Botanical Garden with a botanical collection. This collection is made up by close to 5,000 species, out of which two families are noteworthy: the Palm Trees (Arecaceae) with over a thousand species and varieties, and the Philodendron, Anthurium and Calla Lily (Araceae) with over 400 species and forms – regarded as one of the largest in the world. It is also important to point out that the wide botanical collection combined with the robust structure of the Educational Plant Nursery allows for carrying out research and educational activities that collaborate for the ex situ conservation of the flora.

Inhotim has been more and more committed with the Brazilian Network of Botanical Gardens for the development of strategies to collaborate with attaining the goals for the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

Educational Actions
About 1,500 students from the public and private schools in Brumadinho and Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area visit Inhotim every week. The educational programs promote a number of actions to bring society closer to values related to art, environment, community empowerment and cultural diversity.

With the proposal of aiding the critical development of the students who visit Inhotim and raising awareness on the current situation of the environment, its conservation status or how art permeates our lives, the Institute works on two fronts: Art and Education, and Environmental Education.

In addition to the partnerships with schools, city halls and city and state Education departments, the Institute also offers free educational guided visits to the public in general in order to contextualize visitors who wish to know more about what the park offers in terms of Contemporary Art, Botany and Environment.

For visitors, Inhotim also offers a visit program which takes place in scheduled hours and pre-determined locations.

– The art theme visit provides a meeting between educators and visitors to discuss artists and artworks from the collection. The visit offers a conceptual outline of works on display. Starting points may be a gallery, an artist, or a specific route within the park. On average, this type of visit lasts 1 hour and happens on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, at 2:30 p.m.

– The environmental theme tour allows visitors to walk through the gardens, see part of the landscaped botanical collection, as well as to appreciate the ornamental ponds, waterfowls and other elements that make up this space. This tour lasts one and a half hours and happens on Saturdays and Sundays, at 10:30 a.m. (leaving from the reception).

– The panoramic visit provides an overview of the dynamics of Inhotim. By walking through a certain area of the park, the visit emphasizes landscape design and works located in the gardens of Inhotim. Lasting, on average, one and a half hours, the panoramic visit takes place from Tuesdays to Sundays and on holidays, at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. This visit leaves from the reception area.

Social Actions
In 2007 Instituto Inhotim initiated its relationship and commitment with the development of Brumadinho. This is the city in which the Institute is located, in the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Area. The municipality has an area of 640 square kilometers and a population of 34,013 inhabitants (IBGE Brazilian census authority, 2010 ) and is divided into 5 districts: Brumadinho, Aranha, Piedade do Paraopeba, São José do Paraopeba and Conceição de Itaguá. The rural population is distributed into districts and settlements, including six quilombola (former slaves) communities. Four of these communities have been recognized by the Palmares Foundation for the preservation of Afro-Brazilian Culture, connected to the Ministry of Culture.

The commitment to the social development of the local population led to the creation of the Department of Inclusion and Community Empowerment, which has operated since 2007 in three areas: Music, Art and Culture in the

Paraopeba Valley, Land Development and CIMP (acronym for Centro Inhotim de Memória e Patrimônio, or the Inhotim Center for Memory and Heritage).

One of the main goals of this Department is to strengthen the social capital of the municipality with the support of community or social leaders and organizations. All actions aim at the autonomy of the subjects, and have the people and the social groups as the central object of their work.

Inhotim aims at the sustainability of the programs, the collection, management of resources and the increase in the capacity of the organizations, strengthening new or already existing leaderships. All of the projects proposed seek to guarantee the accessibility, interaction and social inclusion of the population to the concepts and processes developed by Instituto Inhotim.

Gastronomy
At Inhotim, visitors have several food choices, from fast snacks to more elaborated dishes. The Inhotim Restaurant has a pleasant environment and is integrated with the gardens and the contemporary art collection of the institution. The menu consists of an excellent and varied salad bar, à la carte dishes, extensive wine list, and also a variety of desserts.

Created by designer Paulo Henrique Bicalho, known as Ganso (Goose), the Inhotim Bar is a pleasant space to have a drink with your friends and enjoy the delicious international cuisine. The menu has à la carte dishes, appetizers and light snacks. The Bar do Ganso is a bona fide art gallery with pieces signed by renowned Brazilian designers, special lighting and an ambiance referring back to the 50s and 70s.

The cafeteria is located at the Burle Marx Center for Education and Culture and is the ideal place to enjoy a delicious coffee, the specialty of the house. Café do Teatro also has several options of hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, snacks and sweets.

The Oiticica Restaurant is located next to the work Penetrável Magic Square #5, De Luxe. It is a pay-by-weight buffet and the menu includes salads and choices of hot casseroles. The restaurant opens on weekends from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m.

Inhotim visitors can also check out other gastronomic spaces as the Pizzeria, the Hot Dog stand and snack bars located in the Fonte, True Rouge and Miguel Rio Branco galleries. There are sandwiches, pastries, hot dogs, cheese rolls (pão de queijo), juices, soft drinks, among other things.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Visiting hours

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Saritur Bus Transport

Leaving from the Belo Horizonte Bus Station (Rodoviária) from Tuesdays to Sundays at 9 a.m. (platform F2) and returning at 4:30 pm on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, the return trip is at 5:30 pm.

Location

Inhotim is located in the municipality of Brumadinho, 60 kilometers away from Belo Horizonte (approximately one hour and fifteen minutes). The access road is at km 500 of BR 381 highway on the Belo Horizonte – São Paulo direction.

You can also reach Inhotim by BR 040 highway (approximately 1 and a half hours). The access road is at the entrance of Retiro do Chalé on BR 040 highway on the Belo Horizonte – Rio de Janeiro direction.

Gift Shops
The Inhotim gift shops are located at the entrance of the Institute and offer items for decoration and everyday use, books, toys, clay pieces, vases, plants and regional cuisine products.

Admission Fee
On Wednesdays, admission is free of charge. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it is R$ 25. On Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, admission is R$ 40. Half price for senior citizens (60+) and students (upon presentation of valid school/college ID). Children up to 5 years of age do not pay.

Reading time 4 min

Carnival 2017 at Inhotim

Redação Inhotim

Happiness and joy! During all days of carnival season, Inhotim will be open to visitors, and that includes Monday.
From Saturday to Ash Wednesday, the Park will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and offer a varied programming with plenty of fun!

Toy making for the revelry
To cheer up your visit, the Educational Station invites adults and children to build their own toys and get in the spirit of carnival! Weather vanes, confetti launchers and trinkets will set the tone and bring colors to Inhotim’s gardens.

When: February 25 to 28.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Educational Station for Visitors
Public: all ages (50 participants per day limit).

Thematic Visit – The Neo-Concrete Movement
The artistic and literary movement known as Neo-Concretism emerged in the late 1950s in Rio de Janeiro, opposing the Concretist Movement of the city of São Paulo. Neo-concretists criticized the excess of dogmatism and rationalism expressed by Concretism, and perceived art in a more subjective and sensitive way. Among the various artists who participated in the Neoconcretist Manifesto, Inhotim features works by Lygia Clark, Lygia Pape and Amílcar de Castro. This thematic visit reflects on the importance of this movement, considered by many as a turning point in Brazilian art for influencing a considerable number of artists.

When: February 25 and 26.
Hour: 10:30 a.m.
Where: Reception Room
Public: all ages (registration starts at 10 a.m. 25 participants per day limit)

Panoramic Visit
Explore the many routes of Inhotim through its collections and connections. By going through a selected area of the Park, this visit highlights the Institute’s landscape design and the works displayed in the midst of its gardens.

When: Tuesday to Sunday
Hours: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m./
Where: Reception Room
Public: all ages (registration starts at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 25 participants per day limit)

Tamboril Restaurant
Ever thought about dining at Tamboril Restaurant in a refreshing night? Throughout February, exclusively on Saturdays, this gastronomic space will be open from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., offering a special menu for those who want to live a unique experience in the Park.

Reservations: +5531 3571 9700

Fares and directions
In order to avoid waiting in lines, get your ticket at inhot.im/visite. To get to Inhotim, visitors may choose to drive or opt for shuttle vans or buses departing from Belo Horizonte. Shuttle vans depart from Hotel Holiday Inn (Rua Professor Moraes, 600) throughout the carnival season. Departures at 8:15 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m. Roundtrip fare: R$60. Buses depart at 8:15 a.m. from platform 2F of Belo Horizonte’s Central Bus Station (Rodoviária), located at Praça Rio Branco, 100. One-way fares: R$33,05 (BH-Inhotim), R$32,50 (Inhotim-BH).

Belvitur
While planning your visit, you may want to check on other available services, such as accommodation, internal transportation carts, and restaurant reservations. Please visit Belvitur, Inhotim’s Official Tourism Agency, at belvitur.com.br or gives us a call: +5531 3290 9090 or +5531 3290 9180. It will be a pleasure to clarify any doubt.

We are ready to welcome you!

Reading time 3 min

Days that seem not to go by

Julio Le Parc

Good bye Inhotim

the Inhotim I knew before visiting you

was left

behind

with those fragmented pieces of information

and

in those images of

colored illustrations.

 

The other Inhotim

the one I experienced for five days

is right here within me

with its tranquil strength

with the presence

of its days

that seem not to go by

and remain imprinted in me.

 

Nature-art

art-nature

conjugation

 

But

make no mistake

this

nature is art

 

How much wisdom was needed so that

the art we find there

was not phagocyted

by the multiple greens

inhaling the sky.

 

What about the resonance

of this superb nature

as we enter the pavilions

an echo of that which lives in them

is transported

outside with a new echo.

 

And the back and fro weaves

a harmonic tie

creating a magical state

which seems out of this world,

yet, with reality as a background.

 

Nature-art-public

the public as a binding agent

and

we are this public

boy, young, mature

sole receivers

recreating the world.

 

And all this strolling around Inhotim

brings a certain joy of life

that comes from the active relation with what

you are receiving.

 

Slowly

with gluttony

we become

citizens of Inhotim

unconditional citizens.

 

So many things experienced with a

calm spirit but in a

fast pace, when details are put under

a telescope

and metamorphose

and they go by

and they go by us again

bringing small intense

sensations

that reconstruct

a whole, in motion

which is not perceived in its totality

that which is experienced

makes us think there is a whole there

that floats before us

that attaches itself to us

with that which we had seen with our own eyes

with that which we had discovered with our own feet

with a joyful effort

in a fast-paced morning

multiple facets of this whole.

 

Order inside the pavilions

order in that which is illuminated by the sun.

 

Undoubtedly, order

between a will and

great sensitivity

in a unique mind

and this is called:

creation!

 

Inhotim is an invented creation

result of a

unique visionary capacity

that works with what we call

utopia

together with that which grows from the soil

And this creator has a name and a last name:

Bernardo

I’m honored to be able to contribute

with my small grain of sand in this creation!

 

 

 

Cachan, France

June, 2014

Reading time 6 min

Fernando Sodré performs at Inhotim

Redação Inhotim

Born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Fernando Sodré is part of renewal movement in country viola. Last year, the artist released his third album, Viola de Ponta Cabeça [Upside-down Viola], in which he shows modern elaborated harmonies, executed with technique and precision. The result is contemporary jazz filled with influences, which he will be presenting at Inhotim this coming Saturday, June 7, at 3 p.m.With musicians Írio Júnior (piano), Esdras Neném (drums) and Enéias Xavier (bass), the viola player will also have Toninho Horta and harmonic player Gabriel Grossi as guests. Inhotim’s Blog has talked to Fernando about the concert and about his relationship with music. Check it out!

 

Inhotim’s blog – You have roots in choro music, but there are also jazz elements to your music.How do you describe what you do?

Fernando Sodré – I can say that what I play is Brazilian instrumental music. My arrangements are influenced by typical Brazilian rhythms and melodies such as choro, northeastern music and traditional music from Minas. I think it’s a mix of all that.I started out playing chorinho and only then jazz, with musician Alvimar Liberato. He introduced me to jazz and, from then on, I started studying it. In the beginning, the language was difficult for me, but I soon fell in love with it and added its elements to my music.

 

IB – In your last album, as well as at Inhotim, you play with important musicians in the Minas Gerais scene. How did it feel to add these names to your work?

FS – Enéias was the greatest responsible for this experience. I had known him for a while and we used to work together every now and then. Once, I was going to perform in Panama and drummer Márcio Bahia, who was going to play in the concert, could not travel with the band. Then, Enéias told me about Esdra (Neném). He played with us and it was a very nice experience. A few people know about this, but before thinking about Viola de Ponta Cabeça I intended to release a solo album. After this trip and other experiences, I changed my mind and decided to invite both of them to form a trio. We added other interesting elements to the recording, such as Irio’s piano and Gabriel Grossi’s harmonica. The result was a very free album, in which each one of us had a lot of autonomy to create within the arrangements proposed.Considering that we did it live, the gathering of influences and sounds was beyond my expectations. When I first listened to the tracks I noticed how well things fitted together.

 

IB – Singer and songwriter Toninho Horta is also in the album and takes part in the performance at Inhotim. Tell us about this experience.

FS – I’ve been a big fan of Toninho Horta for a long time.I have always listened to his music and he was one of my references. Throughout my career, I’ve always wanted to develop some sort of work with him. Through a common friend, I invited him when we were doing Viola de Ponta Cabeça. We sent the material, Toninho listened to it, liked it and agreed to be in the album. As soon as the recording started, he was very willing and engaged with the project. The result was this version of “Party in Olinda”, a track directed by him and that came up quite interesting.

 

IB – About the concert on Saturday, what does it mean for you to perform at a place like Inhotim?

FS – It is truly a fantastic opportunity to be able to play at a place that is respected and acknowledged both in Brazil and abroad such as Inhotim. I think my music dialogs very well with the place and the people there, so, my expectations are huge. I´m hoping it will be a great show. After all, the place’s atmosphere positively influences each track we’ll be playing. We will show a very diversified repertoire, with songs from the last album and from other ones, older ones. In addition to our base formation, Toninho Horta, Gabriel Grossi will also participate.

 

IB – The performance is part of the program for the 10th Environment Week, which is taking place at Inhotim. How do you relate to the environmental issue?

FS – It’s funny you mentioned this, because a lot of my music is created in places far from city centers. Rivers, farms, mountains, that is, places that haven’t undergone major alterations by men. Therefore, nature is a source of inspiration for me. Without it, it’s likely I would find difficulties with my creative process. Weeks such as this one are very important to raise everyone’s awareness about environmental issues.

Reading time 4 min

10th Environment Week

Redação Inhotim

Have you heard of ecological footprint? Carbon credit? Environmental innovation? These and other expressions have often come up when it comes to preserving the planet. Researchers all over the world are joining forces to think about ways to reduce man’s impact on the Earth and how to make such practices common to any citizen. Next week, this discussion will take place at Inhotim, with the 10th Environment Week, whose theme this year is People for Climate.

 

From June 1 to 8 Inhotim will host an intense program with innovation workshops, seminars with special guest speakers, environmental education workshops, guided theme visits, games and a botanical exhibit. The activities propose a reflection on environmental preservation and present initiatives related to sustainability.

 

Inhotim’s Blog talked to Joaquim de Araújo Silva, Environment and Botanical Garden Director at the Institute. Check it out!

Inhotim’s Blog – This is the 10th edition of the Environment Week and the 8th to take place at Inhotim. How do you analyze this trajectory?

Joaquim de Araújo – The Environment Week is intended to synchronize global, national and regional themes at Inhotim, and then establish attitudes based on these discussions. Throughout the years, we have found important solution for environmental issues and have reaffirmed the value of Inhotim Botanical Garden in preserving biodiversity. The Environment Week has become a forum to discuss the environmental theme at a real high level.

 

IB – People for Climate is this year’s theme. In which kind of initiative do you believe people can get engaged in order to try to slow down climate changes?

JA – We intend to bring this topic to people’s everyday lives, so that they can reflect on their way of life. Climate change and global warming are closely related to how member of contemporary society live their lives on a daily basis. We want to draw the attention of individuals, and not only of companies, about their consumption patterns and habits. The conscious use of natural resources is essential for us to reverse this scenario. We don’t have a recipe for success, but we must perceive that consuming with common sense is related to the well-being of society as a whole.

 

IB – What has Inhotim been doing to reduce its impact on the environment?

JA – First of all, we know we are responsible for flora and biodiversity conservation and we have increasingly positioned ourselves effectively when it comes to this theme. As a botanical garden, we work with several goals, including research, committing ourselves to the Brazilian reality. Now, when it comes to managing the park itself, we have established the Environmental Management System, whose purpose is to map out and create a more efficient way to operate. The actions include control and monitoring of solid waste produced at Inhotim, reduction of expenses with electric power, improve drinking water use and handling, among others. These are practical ways to ensure the Institute’s excellence in its relationship with its surrounding environment.