Brasília, November 22, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Today, in Curitiba (Paraná), President Fernando Henrique Cardoso inaugurates the cultural complex created by architect Oscar Niemeyer and known as the "NewMuseum." The enclosed space, in two buildings, encompasses 33 thousand square meters. At the opening, the NewMuseum will house seven exhibits, which present themes of Brazilian and Mexican art, design, and architecture.

The NewMuseum was constructed in the space for which Niemeyer, in the mid-1960's, designed the Castello Branco building - initially intended to be an institute of education. The locale ended up being used as headquarters for various departments and agencies of the government of Paraná, until revitalization plans finally arose through programs of the Paraná government in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). All together, US$ 14 million were invested to guarantee revitalization of the space.

The main facade of the museum is quite innovative, as is the project as a whole. Among the curious aspects of the museum's architecture is an annex, containing two exhibition halls, that Niemeyer projected in the form of an "eye." (DAS)