Oscar Niemeyer
OSCAR NIEMEYER (born in 1907) Oscar Niemeyer graduates from the National School of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro. His career has been strongly linked to Lucio Costa, with whom he worked for many years and numerous projects. Le Corbusier’s influence is present in Niemeyer’s early work and the French architect remains a major source of inspiration for him. However, Niemeyer gradually acquires his own style characterized by a daring use of curves which dominates most of his designs. In 1956 he is selected by president Juscelino Kubitschek as director of the Architecture Department of the New Capital Urbanization Company, the firm charged with the construction of Brasilia. This project is the symbol of Brazilian architecture and city planning and represents one of the most important examples of modern architecture in the world. After completing his work on Brasilia, Niemeyer took on several projects overseas and was awarded numerous prizes and decorations. All his life Niemeyer has shown a deep concern for social justice and was a member of Brazilian Communist Party. Today Niemeyer is 103 years old and is still working in his studio in Rio de Janeiro.