Page 12 - ARUBA TODAY

A12 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 21 February 2018

Mexican architect's modernist home, hidden on a cul de sac

Barragan was a modernist Jalisco state and a founda-
who blended the function- tion called the Fundacion
alism of Le Corbusier with de Arquitectura Tapatia
designs inspired by Mexi- Luis Barragan. But his pro-
can traditions and by his fessional archive — plans,
travels to places like Mo- photos, models — was pur-
rocco. He used natural light chased by a Swiss furniture
to create "transition spac- company and is housed in
es" separating outside from Europe by another founda-
inside, evoking the serenity tion named for Barragan.
of a Mexican courtyard. Access to that archive has
But he also used bright col- been severely restricted by
ors like sunny yellow and its owners, which has lim-
an electric pink called rosa ited what museums and
Mexicana. scholars can do to pro-
New York's Museum of mote Barragan's legacy.
Modern Art in 1976 hon- In 2015, a conceptual art-
ored Barragan with an ist had some of Barragan's
exhibit of his work, and in cremated remains dug up
1980 he became the first and made into a diamond
Latin American to receive ring. She offered the ring in
the prestigious Pritzker Ar- exchange for access to the
This photo shows the upper level of Mexican architect Luis Barragan's home in Mexico City. Visi- chitecture Prize. The prize is archives to make a point
tors will find Barragan's house and studio much the same as it was in 2004 when it was designated seen on the tour in a small about corporate owner-
a UNESCO World Heritage site for its architectural significance integrating modern, traditional and office next to his library. His ship of art.
vernacular elements. disciple Ricardo Legoretta, Barragan’s deep Catho-
(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
whose best-known works lic spirituality is evident
By ANITA SNOW tial architects, who lived museum after Barragan's include the Camino Real throughout the home, with
MEXICO CITY (AP) — In a and worked here for four death in 1988 and was des- Hotel in Mexico City and several wooden crucifixes
working-class neighbor- decades. The complex, ignated a UNESCO World the Catholic cathedral in hanging on walls and a
hood of Mexico City, two called Casa Luis Barragan, Heritage site in 2004. Tour Managua, Nicaragua, is statue of St. Francis of As-
concrete buildings hid- features a clean, minimalist reservations for the com- also a highly regarded ar- sisi on display. The casa is
den near the end of a cul style, accented by Mexi- plex must be made several chitect. virtually hidden by the high
de sac draw visitors from can elements, with high weeks in advance. Most Barragan was a bachelor walls that surround it. Its
around the world. walls, natural light and tours are in Spanish but and died in the house at lush, green interior garden
This is the home and stu- splashes of color creating there are some in English. age 86. The home and can be viewed through
dio of Luis Barragan, one magical spaces. Those who arrive without studio are owned by the large windows, bringing a
of Mexico's most influen- Built in 1948, it became a reservations are sent away. government of his native feeling of nature indoors.q

Brazil's lower house approves military intervention in Rio

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil's proval. The Chamber of fort to prevent drugs, illegal checkpoints and searched deep fiscal crisis.
lower house approved a Deputies has sent the mea- arms and stolen goods from everyone leaving or en- Itamar said the military in-
decree to put the military in sure to the Senate, which entering the city, said Col. tering during the morning tervention would go be-
charge of Rio de Janeiro's was scheduled to debate it Roberto Itamar, a military commute. yond the mere use of sol-
security forces early Tues- later in the day. spokesman. Around 3,000 The operation was planned diers in the streets.
day as soldiers and police Overnight, the armed forc- members of the armed before the new military "The population will see an
spread out throughout in es and police spread out in forces were involved. commander took over, improvement in the actions
the city to combat rising in Rio in the first major op- Armored vehicles rolled and he has yet to lay out his of the institutions that are
crime. eration since the change through the streets of one plan for tackling the wave constitutionally responsible
The military took over Rio's in command. They took up neighborhood on Guana- of violence in Rio. Security for public security in Rio de
police on Friday, but the positions on major roads bara Bay on Tuesday, while in Rio has been deteriorat- Janeiro," he said in an inter-
presidential decree still that connect Rio with the boats patrolled the waters. ing for at least two years view with The Associated
needs congressional ap- rest of the country in an ef- Soldiers and police set up as the state experiences a Press. q