Portraits of nature exhibition



We are very happy to announce and invite you to the opening of 'Portraits of Nature', an exhibition displaying the work of our Bartlett Unit 18 Studio (Ricardo deOStos & Isaie Bloch) at the Embassy of Brazil in London. Join us for some (caipirinha) drinks and an incredible evening. 

WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER | 6:30PM | SALA BRASIL |SW1Y 5BL

Free entry | RSVP essential: culturalbrazil.rsvp@gmail.com

Architecture in Rio de Janeiro has always played a key role in stimulating the political and aesthetic landscape of a city blessed with an incredible natural setting between mountain and sea. In the exhibition ‘Portraits of Nature’ students from MArch Unit 18 from the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL show their adventurous interventions in Rio. Exploring the city as culture and natural force the exhibition highlights Rio de Janeiro’s three-dimensionality, contours and patterns, utilising old and new technologies to accentuate them in new forms. Fourteen projects are displayed in evocative drawings and intricate physical models. As a show highlight two three meter high digitally fabricated portraits interpret the city and the proposed projects in unison. Between Brazilian surrealism tradition and contemporary digital technologies, the large portraits are inspired by Oswald de Andrade’s Anthropophagic Manifesto.

Curated by Brazilian architect and Unit 18 tutor Ricardo de Ostos the exhibition was designed and conceived in collaboration with Unit 18 students, Isaie Bloch and Ricardo’s own studio NaJa & deOstos. Unit 18 is taught by Isaie Bloch and Ricardo de Ostos and explores the relationship between materiality and the politics of the environment in cities today.

The Bartlett School of Architecture is one of the world’s most exciting architecture schools, in one of its most inspiring cities. The name stands for provocative ideas, boundary-pushing research and high-achieving lecturers and students.