The story of the SAAL Brigades has been in my consciousness for a very long time. I bought the “Livro Branco do SAAL” in the early 90s. This book testifies to the incredible experimental political and architectural process that took place. I see SAAL as a model for resolving one of the more fascinating questions in my artistic practice. The attempt to marry a meaningful political practice with contemporary investigative art and the effort to avoid rhetoric. The communication of complex ideas whilst not surrendering to popular demands of taste and fashion. In short, how to think about contemporary art and revolution. I love the consultation processes, the experiments with auto-construction, the emphasis on design, the open and aggressive political agenda, and I love to look at the resulting buildings.
Images: © Jorge Trêpa
