This 13 floor building in the historic center of São Paulo – the Ouvidor 63 building – had been abandoned for a couple of decades until a group of artists squatted it, in May 2014. The building belongs to the state and there already an eviction order standing against them but authorities have not enforced it yet.
Published November 24, 2017 at 3:58 PM Updated November 25, 2017 at 8:11 PM
A group of squatters has turned an abandoned building in Central São Paulo into a thriving cultural center.
For about two decades the building at 63 Ouvidor Street remained unused but in May 2014, a group of artists looking for a place to live and create occupied it and turned it into a hub of cultural activities.
Nearly 100 people live across the 13 floors, making art of all kinds.
Despite the serious infrastructure deficiencies, this has become a safe haven for artists.
Some coming from other states of Brazil and also different Latin American countries.
There is an eviction order against them as the state government – the owner of the building – says it’s for sale but the artists are keeping up their resistance and hope to stay.
PHOTO GALLERY: Squatters at Cultural Center facing eviction in São Paulo
Guitar player Rebel has been living in the squat for three years. He plays in the band “Nicolas não tem umas banda (Nicolas does not have a band)” with other three musicians who also live – and rehearse – in the building. “I think the state has not kicked us out yet because it’s going to look bad in the media if the send the police to remove us from here”, says Rebel.
This 13 floor building in the historic center of São Paulo – the Ouvidor 63 building – had been abandoned for a couple of decades until a group of artists squatted it, in May 2014. The building belongs to the state and there already an eviction order standing against them but authorities have not enforced it yet.
Alexia Gomes worked a fashion model but when her career ended she found this place and a new talent. Making clothes from recycled materials. “With this old umbrella I can make a skirt. I have been making a series of pin-up style skirts with them, and girls like a lot.”
Alexia Gomes says her work with recycled materials and her decision to squat are also political statements. “We have to remove ourselves from this society of overconsumption. We can’t make so much stuff, build so many new buildings. We have to learn to use what we already have.”
The artists living in the Ouvidor Squat are opened to visitors and try to sell their art – and also go out and about in the city offering their work, like the printings made from carved wood.
The squat has no formal leaders or hierarchical structure. The residents have constant meetings to discuss matters of interest to the group – even if some here complain participation is very low and there’s not much to do about those who break the agreed rules.
Sculptor Carlinhos de Moraes has been living and working in the squat for two and a half years, working mostly with clay and wood. “We are putting this place to good use. Artists are working here.”
Woodcutting and printing are activities taken up by many of the artist here – some have learned after coming to the building. among other reasons because it’s easy to find usable pieces of wood in the area.
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