In 1963, Niemeyer went into self-exile. For the next seven years, he and Annita traveled to the capitals of North America and Old Europe. Already well known, he was respected for his work with Le Corbusier on the United Nations building in New York and the headquarters of the Communist Party in Paris. Other notable accomplishments were the Renault office tower and works in Milan and Torino.

Homesick, he returned to in 1970 and resumed his career in architecture, continuing to explore the use of unexpectedly light shapes, while fearlessly expressing his opinions. He taught at the University of Rio de Janeiro, and took up sculpting. The same year, he has been awarded the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architecture, and in 1988 the Pritzker Architecture Prize .

Of his body of work, Oscar Niemeyer is most proud of the Niteroi Museum of Contemporary Art in Guanabar, completed in 1996. Today, at 98 years of age, he still practices his craft, receives friends and acquaintances to laugh and discuss his unchangeable plans and inspirations. Motivated by his constant search for social freedom, the venerable architect laughs at the thought that Communism is not dead and that there is still hope for a better world.


 
www.niemeyer.org.br

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