Artist’s World Cup Posters Highlight Brazilian Stadiums

The list of vibrant artworks and projects inspired by the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Brazil keeps growing. From the tagged up jet plane by Os Gêmeos, to street murals and giant soccer balls as well as less-than-positive depictions of Brazil’s role as host country, artists around the world have taken inspiration from the event. Add Portuguese architect and illustrator André Chiote to the list.

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Andre Chiote poster of Maracana Stadium in Belo Horizonte.
Courtesy the artist.

While some artists have focused on individual teams and players or associated futbol fever imagery, Chiote homed in on the stately, modernist architecture of several of the dozen stadiums throughout the country where World Cup matches are being played. He depicts those in Rio de Janeiro, Manaus, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, and Brasilia, rendering them in the colors of the Brazilian flag, and aiming to capture the essence of each arena’s architecture and the vision of the architecture firm that created it.

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Andre Chiote poster of Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia.
Courtesy the artist.

Chiote told artnet News via email that the series is a continuation of another series celebrating famous sports arenas, such as the Bird’s Nest stadium that was designed by Ai Weiwei and built by Herzog & de Meuronfor the 2008 Beijing Olympics. One of his earlier series focused on the architecture of museums.

Asked if he is a football fanatic, Chiote said: “I’m not really a fan of football, but I like to see when it is well played. But as an architect myself I’m obviously a fan of architecture and some of the World Cup stadiums too.” Is he rooting for a particular team?  “Well, this time Portugal is no longer in the race, my favorite colors are from the other team who speaks Portuguese, that one in green and yellow.”

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Andre Chiote poster of Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador.
Courtesy the artist.

The posters are high-definition digital prints on premium matte photo paper. Says Chiote: “Nowadays, the sports infrastructures are real cathedrals, by their social relevance and impact on cities. And the stadiums of the World Cup Brazil 2014 are now and will remain in future sport and architectural icons, symbols that will help the affirmation of Brazil as a world power.”

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Andre Chiote poster of Amazonia Arena in Manaus.
Courtesy the artist.


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