The sculpture “Encontro” by Franz Weissmann is a striking work of art, installed outdoors in the courtyard of the Cultural Center of the Rio de Janeiro State Prosecutor’s Office (PGE-RJ), located behind the historic Convento do Carmo.
Franz Weissmann was born in Austria in 1911 and settled in Brazil in the 1920s. He was a sculptor, painter, and draftsman, as well as a key figure in the Brazilian Neo-Concrete movement. He studied at the National School of Fine Arts and, in the 1950s, alongside figures such as Lygia Clark, Décio Vieira, and Amílcar de Castro, he was part of Grupo Frente, which was instrumental in the emergence of the Neo-Concrete movement.
Image description: This is a photograph of a man working in his sculpture studio. The image shows a variety of colorful handmade objects arranged on several surfaces. On the left, there are wooden drawers with a blue lid. In the center, a man is seated, focused on his activity. In the background, shelves are filled with wooden pieces and other craft materials. The predominant colors are red, green, and blue.Franz Weissmann in his workshop. Wilton Montenegro, undated. Itaú Cultural Encyclopedia.
His artistic journey was defined by his search for a visual language that transcended physical space, exploring what he called "active voids" - the cut-outs in his sculptures that create an open and interactive sense of three-dimensionality.
“Encontro”, a metal piece unveiled in 1985, reflects the core characteristics of the sculptor’s style: geometric shapes, intersecting planes, and cut-outs that create harmony between solid elements and active voids. The sculpture is situated in a historic location in Rio de Janeiro and symbolizes a new kind of urban monument. Rather than honoring traditional historical figures, it seeks to stimulate artistic appreciation, contributing to the renewal of the city’s urban and cultural heritage.
Image description: The image is a photograph of a modern sculpture located in front of a large, modern building. The sculpture is made up of red geometric shapes, including triangles and squares, arranged in an interlocking fashion. It is positioned in the center of the image, with the background formed by a multi-story building with clear, evenly spaced windows. On the left, part of the building features a glass and metal façade. At the bottom of the image, the ground is covered with stones in a checkered pattern.Weissmann believed that art, especially sculpture, should not be confined to museums or galleries but instead should be displayed in spaces where members of the public circulate and where people can experience it up close. By choosing to exhibit his sculptures in public spaces, he aimed for his works to become part of people's everyday experiences, fostering interpretations and emotional connections.
The sculpture is strategically located in the courtyard of the Public Prosecutor´s Office, a space rich with historical layers, connecting the past to the present. It blends with the architecture of the Convento do Carmo. However, the sculpture's journey to this location took some dramatic turns on the way. In 2022, amidst the judicial recovery process of Universidade Cândido Mendes, the institution to which the sculpture belonged, the piece was nearly auctioned off. It was removed from the auction and expropriated by the state government, ensuring its preservation as cultural heritage. So, the inclusion of “Encontro” in the PGE’s cultural collection represents an effort to preserve the memory and wealth of the Constructivist movement in Brazil.
Image description: This is a painting depicting a calm sea with a few vessels. On the left side, we see a small vessel sailing to the right. Further ahead, there is another, larger vessel, also moving to the right. In the center of the image, there is a series of small shapes that appear to be waves or movements in the water. On the right, there is a large vessel with several sails, sailing to the left. On the horizon, we see two large rock formations, possibly islands or cliffs. The sky is clear and cloudless, giving a sense of tranquility. The predominant color is beige, with tones of blue and brown.
Image description: The image shows two logos. On the left side, there is a blue shield with a crown and decorative elements, followed by the text "Rio Prefeitura Turismo" in blue. On the right side, there is a logo with the phrase "Rio Memórias" in orange, inside a square with vertical lines.
