In this text, Oscar Niemeyer responds to criticisms that consider his architectural projects “formalist.” He clarifies that, in his view, architecture must enjoy almost boundless visual freedom in its creative content if it is to be a work of art. He supports the idea of limiting volumes and heights of constructions in urban centers, even if that contradicts technical and functionalist rationalism which can, in fact, become “formalist” insofar as it privileges predetermined and redundant pure geometric forms over the project as a whole. Niemeyer defends his position tooth and nail. He explains that he pursues innovative solutions based on the structure of the building in order to produce architecture that is a manifestation of the spirit, of fantasy, and of poetry. He explains the diverse positions adopted in the works for Brasilia such as the Capitol building and the Praça dos Três Podêres. He argues that an array of surprising perspectives was used in order to incite visitors’ emotions and to stimulate their imaginations.

The tone of this text by architect Oscar Niemeyer, which is illustrated with his own drawings, is like that of a manifesto. He defends his positions in open opposition to rigid and “functionalist” approaches, favoring instead free and fanciful architecture based on structural experimentation. This text was written in late 1959, months before the official inauguration of Brasilia, the new Brazilian capital (1960), and after the “Congresso Extraordinário Internacional de Críticos de Arte” (September 1959). It was published at the same time as Mário Pedrosa’s commentary on another text by Niemeyer, “A imaginação na arquitetura,” published in the journal Módulo in October 1959, in which he also defends his creative process.

For further reading, see in the ICAA digital archive also by Niemeyer “O problema social na arquitetura” (doc. no. 1110341), “Depoimento” (doc. no. 1110334), and “Arquitetura = Architecture” (doc. no. 1110340); and by Mário Pedrosa “Niemeyer e crítica de arte” (doc. no. 1086699), “L’architecture moderne au Brésil” (doc. no. 1086489), “A cidade nova, síntese das artes” (doc. no. 1086503), “Espaço e arquitetura” (doc. no. 1087020), “Introdução à arquitetura brasileira – I; Introdução à arquitetura brasileira – II” (doc. no. 1086620), “Introdução ao tema inaugural: A cidade nova, obra de arte” (doc. no. 1110409), “MAM: reconstrução” (doc. no. 1111078), “Parecer sôbre o ‘CORE’ da Cidade Universitária” (doc. no. 1110830), and “Reflexões em torno da nova capital” (doc. no. 1086728)].