Spatial criticality notes on an artistic intervention in the city of São Paulo

Abstract

Today, contemporary art is incorporated as a significant factor in developing urban areas. The current incorporation of art in the development of contemporary urban environments raises a number of new issues for research in art history and urbanity studies, as well as art practices. In her article Sabine Nielsen highlights the aspects of city spaces that interests the contemporary artist Hector Zamora, and in continuation hereof she illustrates how his architectural intervention in Sao Paulo entitled Errante can be said to reflect, contest, and transform the surrounding urban zones. Through an analysis of this specific project Sabine Nielsen shows how contemporary art exists in close interaction with urban culture, and how changes in infrastructure and socio-cultural developments necessitate the invention of new techniques and temporary strategies if contemporary art is to have a relevant relationship to current city development.