Vila Velha is an ecological paradise and one of the most important conservation units in Brazil. Its history, full of curiosities, presents a unique natural composition in the world, with sandstone trails and ancient rock formations. To "compete" with such a powerful nature through an art installation implies modesty.

In this way, with a design by the Paraná-born artist and architect Fernando Canalli, a type of circular mandala was created around a large, ancient central stone, leaving space for contemporary works. These are not gigantic, but on a human scale, close to the visitor, respecting the magic of the surrounding nature, in a respectful balance.

 It's always important to experience your generation and understand the new creative thinking of our world. Heritage is the fruit of generations speaking of their visions: present and future. In this project, it's very challenging, but also intelligent, to perceive the perspective of artists speaking to us about such a special place. We are at a critical moment in the Anthropocene, where nature is in danger. It's good to know how artists speak of this through their works, a way of speaking poetically about the subject without frightening anyone.

The “MON without Walls – Art in the Open Air” project, which broke the physical limits of the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (MON) by bringing works of art to the gardens, is now going even further. Designated a Historical and Artistic Heritage site of the State of Paraná, the Vila Velha State Park will host previously unseen works of art, in partnership with the Museum.

 The "MON without Walls – Vila Velha" initiative is from the Government of Paraná, through the Water and Land Institute, linked to the Secretariat for Sustainable Development, Soul Parques, and the Oscar Niemeyer Museum.

 The exhibition is curated by Marc Pottier and conceptualized by Fernando Canalli. The participating artists are: Gustavo Utrabo, Tom Lisboa, Kulykirida Menihaku, Sonia Dias, Denise Milan, and Alexandre Vogler.

Inaugurated in 2024, the "MON Without Walls – Art in the Open Air" project broke the physical limits of the Oscar Niemeyer Museum's walls and embraced the public. The initiative has become a permanent invitation with interactive works of art in the outdoor area, inspiring the public and encouraging them to enter the MON.

The project, now in a new phase, in line with the state government's objective of disseminating art and culture throughout Paraná, brings this unprecedented artistic intervention to Vila Velha State Park.

 By bringing works of art to where the population is, in addition to sensitizing, raising awareness to the general public, we offer an environment for pause, deceleration, and inner reconnection. With this achievement, MON inaugurates a new chapter in its history, using all its expertise to reach even newer audiences and spaces, disseminating art.

Madeira piranheira, urucum, carvão, resina de ingá e concha de caramujo
60 x 180 cm

Totem.Tatu e Totem Urubu.Rei - Kulykirida Mehinaku

Vidro Laminado sobre estrutura metálica 
400 x 150 x 150cm

Imaginei um Vento Pintado – Gustavo Utrabo

Aço corten sobre base de areia 
110 x 300 cm

PARQUE ESTADUAL DE VILA VELHA
Rodovia BR-376, Km 515 
Vila Velha, Ponta Grossa - PR, 84000-000

Vila Velha State Park will host an outdoor art installation, a project of the Oscar Niemeyer Museum

 The “MON without Walls – Vila Velha” exhibition is curated by Marc Pottier and conceptualized by Fernando Canalli. The participating artists are: Gustavo Utrabo, Tom Lisboa, Kulykirida Menihaku, Sonia Dias, Denise Milan, and Alexandre Vogler. The opening will be on February 25th at 3 PM.

“Bringing works of art to Vila Velha State Park through ‘MON without Walls’ expands access to culture and integrates art, natural heritage, and territory. This initiative exemplifies the Paraná State Government’s commitment to decentralizing cultural policies and ensuring that art is present in different spaces throughout the state,” says Luciana Casagrande Pereira, Secretary of State for Culture.

“With this achievement, MON inaugurates a new chapter in its history, using all its expertise to reach even newer audiences and spaces, disseminating art,” says MON's CEO, Juliana Vosnika.

 Inaugurated in 2024, the "MON Without Walls – Art in the Open Air" project broke the physical limits of the Museum's walls and embraced the public. The initiative has become a permanent invitation with interactive works of art in the outdoor area, inspiring the public and encouraging them to enter the MON.

“The project, now in a new phase, in line with the state government's objective of disseminating art and culture throughout Paraná, brings an unprecedented artistic intervention to Vila Velha Park in partnership with the Museum,” informs Juliana.

 “When we bring works of art to where the population is, in addition to sensitizing the general public, who may not have the habit of entering a museum, we offer an environment of pause, of slowing down, of inner reconnection,” he says. “We understand that art increasingly helps with health.”

 Juliana comments that health professionals have been prescribing visits to museums and that research in psychology, art therapy, and cultural studies shows that visiting museums reduces stress, stimulates positive emotions, and promotes well-being. "In addition to strengthening identity and a sense of belonging, art allows connections with culture, memory, and collective narratives, fundamental elements for psychological well-being," she states.

Vila Velha State Park is an ecological paradise and one of the most important environmental conservation units in Brazil. In addition to a rich history full of curiosities, it boasts a unique natural composition in the world, with sandstone trails and ancient rock formations.

The curator, Marc Pottier, explains that the site also has many legends. "It used to be called Itacueretaba, or 'extinct city of stones,' according to the Apiaba people who lived there," he says. He also highlights that some rocks have unique shapes, such as a cup, sphinx, boot, turtle, Indian head, bottle, camel, and ship's prow. "Between these historical cliffs and the curious shapes they contain, one finds unique themes for reflection for contemporary artists," he comments.

 “The Oscar Niemeyer Museum, through ‘MON without Walls – Art in the Open Air’ (which aims to invite artists to create site-specific works in the Museum's gardens), called upon a group of artists to create a dialogue with this very special universe, thus giving their interpretations of the uniqueness of the place,” says the curator.

The Oscar Niemeyer Museum (MON) is a state-owned property linked to the State Secretariat of Culture. The institution houses important references of national and international artistic production in the areas of visual arts, architecture and design, in addition to grand Asian and African collections. In total, the collection has approximately 14,000 works of art, housed in a space of over 35,000 square meters of built area, which makes the MON the largest art museum in Latin America.

Located in Ponta Grossa-PR, just one hour from Curitiba, Vila Velha State Park is the first state park created in Paraná, in 1953, and is currently a concession from the Government of the State of Paraná, through the Water and Land Institute, to Soul Vila Velha, a company of the Soul Parques Group.

The ticket offices are open until 3 pm. The park recommends arriving in the morning so that visitors can explore its attractions – Unimed Sandstone Trail, Furnas and Lagoa Dourada – enjoy the various gastronomic options and also take advantage of the adventure attractions – Zip line, Tree climbing and Cycling.

More information: https://parquevilavelha.com.br/

“MON Without Walls – Open-Air Art – Vila Velha”
Opening: February 25th, 3 PM
Vila Velha State Park
BR-376 Highway, Km 515, Jardim Vila Velha, Ponta Grossa - PR

 Oscar Niemeyer Museum
www.museuoscarniemeyer.org.br

A iniciativa “MON sem Paredes – Arte ao Ar Livre”, projeto que rompeu os limites físicos do Museu Oscar Niemeyer (MON) ao levar obras de arte aos jardins, realiza a sua primeira itinerância. O Parque Estadual de Vila Velha, tombado pelo Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico do Estado do Paraná, recebe obras de arte inéditas, numa parceria com o Museu. 
A iniciativa do “MON sem Paredes – Vila Velha” é do Governo do Paraná, por meio do Instituto Água e Terra, vinculado à Secretaria do Desenvolvimento Sustentável, da Soul Parques e do Museu Oscar Niemeyer. A curadoria do projeto é de Marc Pottier e o conceito de Fernando Canalli. Os artistas participantes são: Gustavo Utrabo, Tom Lisboa, Kulykirida Menihaku, Sonia Dias, Denise Milan e Alexandre Vogler. 

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