The Curves of Time

by Oscar Neimeyer, Izabel Murat Burbridge (Translator)

In this first ever English-language edition of Oscar Niemeyer's memoirs, the architect reveals how his many passions - among them his large family, many friends, the sensuous landscape of Brazil, women, Communism, art and literature - have all influenced his life and in turn inspired his architecture. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Niemeyer graduated from the National School of Fine Arts in 1934. As a student he worked in the office of Lucio Costa, and on graduation he began collaborating with Le Corbusier on a new Ministry of Education and Health Building in Rio. Yet, in contrast to the International Style, Niemeyer's curvilinear forms reflected Brazil's lush, undulating landscape and the emotive style of its music and dance. Here Niemeyer recounts his life in an informal, fluid narrative that moves from his childhood in Rio, through to friendships with intellectuals and politicians such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Fidel Castro, to tales of adventurous road trips. The book includes 40 specially-made sketches by Niemeyer, a chronology of his notes and an index.

Genres: Architecture, Biography, Brazil, History, Nonfiction, Memoir

192 pages, Hardcover

Published January 10, 2000

Reviews

[Carolina Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the rambling autobiography of one modern architecture's most famous men. If you're looking for profound insights into his work, this book may not be of much help. But if you're looking for general insights into his life and times, then by all means pick this up. Niemeyer is a charming, joyful author.

[Max Potthoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

All-time great memoir intro from Oscar Niemeyer: "On re-reading this book, I feel that it uncovers two distinct personas. One looks on the bright side of life and sees the fun part of it that has always attracted me. The other has a pessimistic view of life and society in general, and is angered by the injustices of this world.

Both personas were profoundly influenced by architecture as an inner calling, heeded so passionately that it has engaged them both for an entire lifetime. This explains the alternating instances of euphoria and unease that have permeated my mediocre life. It was in relation to my friendships that these mood swings were most intense and heartfelt.

I have always cherished my friends and nurtured our friendships. I took great pleasure from taking them along visits to the Old World. What a joy it was to see some of them enjoying things they had never imagined possible!

Then there was my family...I have always loved them so! Whenever I thought of them, from afar, I felt so moved, and when I was near them, oh how I loved them! For them, I did my best and gave my all.

That is the way I have lived my life.

I have never been one to look back and regret mistakes. I am a child of Nature, a tiny and insignificant part of her, and in her lies the credit or the blame - partly, at any rate - for both my qualities and my faults. This is the way she made me."

Places I want to visit that I learned about in book: Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Santa Catarina (bad influence during WW2). Copacabana Palace Hotel, Pampulha.

People he read that I would like to: Socrates, Plato, Diogo do Couto, Fernao Lopes, Camus, Andre Malraux, Freud, Kafka, Dostoyevsky, Gide, Chekhov, Henry Miller, Proust, Tolstoy, Gorky, Sartre. La Corbusier was his contemporary architect. Juscelino Kubitschek was first president.

Good quotes: "I did not allow myself to criticize or assume radical positions (when reading)."
"What bothers me is not life's few rough edges, but the tremendous suffering of the destitute confronted with the indifferent smiles of the well-to-do."(146)

"I recall that despite my constant pessimism, I have always shared fellowship with my companions." (150)

"I had assumed personal and family commitments in times of plenty, but our expenses multiplied rapidly, and what I had been warned of came to pass." (151)

"The rich should be reminded that fellowship is one of the few things that gives meaning to our wretched lives, that money is no guide to a person's worth, that we are all equally fragile and insignificant - rich and poor alike - when confronting this unjust world. Sharing is the most beautiful word there is, and to keep this precept close to one's heart is what God would want us to do, if He existed." (161)


Other things I learned: "US Imperialist Policy informed reactionary dictatorship: (84)
- Joie de vivre means lust for life
- demitasse means small cup of coffee

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niemeyer was such a generous and humble man. I respected him as a humanitarian as much as an architect after reading this.

[Roberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simples como as leves colunas do Alvorada. Um mestre da humildade.

[Katia-Maria Caldeira-Pires · Rating 5 out of 5]

O que faz um s er humano ser especial como ele?!

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much about the architecture, but a few moments of insight from Niemeyer over his long career. If you like name dropping, though, dig in!

[Peter Rowe]

Hes Glazing Himself and Others I don't Fw his narrative Voice Obv World historical Architect But I Kant Finish This

[Ashwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The autobiography of my favorite architects basically tells us nothing interesting about his architecture. Apart from brief snippets of his relationships with Le Corb, and some passages in the beginning and end about what he finds beautiful and a tiny bit of architectural insight. Most of the consists of him talking about his friends, including a lively youth, and his respect for his personal relationships above all. His personal life was interesting enough, and his relationship with Kubitschek was explored in relation to Brasilia in an interesting way, but wish there was more about his wonderful architecture.

[Julio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book gives us a glimps at the life of the great architect Oscar Niemeyer, its a non linear book, ponctuated with histories and memoirs of the great minded architect.

The book not only approaches the works as a architect, but his whole life, since his childhood with his grandparent political friends, his early carrer, travels, conversations and memories.

It is a great book about the Life of the greatest brazilian architect.