SESI Lab occupies the old Touring building and today houses an interactive museum, spaces for laboratories, courses, shows and even a cinema
Brasilia In November 2022, an interactive cultural and educational center was installed in the former Palazzo della Touring. The space has been reopened as a museum of the Social Service of Industry (SESI) and offers engaging exhibitions, workshops, courses, performances and cinema. Until January 2024, the place will host the “Workers” exhibition, by Sebastião Salgado, which has not been seen in Brazil since 2014.
The new SESI Lab is located in the heart of the city, right next to the Plano Piloto bus station, in front of National Library and a jump from Esplanade of the Ministries. A short walk brings you to the National Museum of the Republic and the Brasilia Cathedral, both works by Oscar Niemeyer. OR SESI laboratorywhich also bears the signature of Niemeyer, consists of two floors, almost 7,500 m2 and an underground passage that connects the Zumbi dos Palmares Square at the bus station. The location is privileged for those who do not have a car (an almost obligatory means of getting around the federal capital): the museum can be reached by underground (get off at Galeria or Centrale station), by bus and by pedaling along the cycle path that surrounds it.
+The 20 best attractions of Brasilia
html[data-range=”xlarge”] figure image img.img-8251cd303ab70d2fa1229593d96f5352tu7lo28t { width: 774px; height: 515px; }HTML[data-range=”large”] figure image img.img-8251cd303ab70d2fa1229593d96f5352tu7lo28t { width: 548px; height: 365px; }HTML[data-range=”small”] figure image img.img-8251cd303ab70d2fa1229593d96f5352tu7lo28t, html[data-range=”medium”] figure image img.img-8251cd303ab70d2fa1229593d96f5352tu7lo28t { width: 564px; height: 376px; }HTML[data-range=”small”] .article__image-embed, html[data-range=”medium”] .article__image-embed {width: 564px; margin: auto 0 30px; }
The building is considered a National Historical and Artistic Heritage.
From 1963 to 2005, the building housed the headquarters of the Touring Club do Brasil, the first body to issue the national licence. Over the years, Touring lost ground to insurers, brokers, driving schools until, in 2006, the building was auctioned off and was abandoned. It didn’t take long for the homeless and drug addicts to settle there.
In 2019 SESI bought the building and, together with the government of Federal District, has revitalized the building and its surroundings. The underpass, which remains open to pedestrians, received a panel by Athos Bulcão which was already part of the original project, but which had never been built. There are also water fountains and a cinema that has free showings on the weekends.
permanent exhibitions
Unlike many museums, in SESI laboratory the forbidden thing is not to touch. All exhibits are interactive and summarize concepts of physics, biology, art and mathematics. No wonder the place is very popular with school trips. But the program is also great to do with the family.
OR SESI laboratory is a partner of the Exploratorium, an interactive art and science museum in San FranciscoTO California, which has produced more than one hundred works for its Brazilian partner. All have been designed in accordance with the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC), taking learning beyond the classroom.
The exhibitions are divided into three galleries. One of the most interesting is the section ” phenomena in the world‘, with interactive works focusing on the fields of life sciences and mathematics – such as a giant spring, bacterial colonies, tornadoes and a hair-raising electromagnetic ball.
In ” Learn by doing”, visitors get their hands dirty. You can create a chain reaction, build a lever and assemble your own stop motion animation.
On the first floor of the building, the Gallery ” Imagine futures” favors interaction between visitors, who have to discuss choices and decisions that will have an impact on the future of the planet. A panel hypothesizes what could no longer exist from here: cigarettes, petrol, chemotherapy, selfies, air pollution? The interesting thing is that each group of visitors comes to different conclusions.
temporary exhibitions
On the first floor there is a room dedicated to temporary exhibitions. From August 2023 to January 2024 “Workers” by Sebastião Salgado will be on display. There are 150 black and white photos taken in seven countries between 1986 and 1992 that portray people and jobs seriously affected by the advent of computers and robotization.
courses and festivals
OR SESI laboratory it has two very well equipped laboratories (it has 3D printers, microscopes, welding machines…). Schools and groups can schedule specialized courses and workshops. During the visit of TV, third-year high school students followed the process of making gasoline.
On Friday afternoon entrepreneurs can use the workshops free of charge to make their own creations. Just register your project in this form. In addition, the outdoor area of the museum hosts free exhibitions and festivals. On 2 and 3 September 2023 the SESI laboratory hosts the first edition of Expo Favelas in Brasilia.
Night workshop for adults only
Once a month, the museum organizes an evening program aimed at adults. In the laboratories there is always a conference, a show, a conversation club and workshops (ticket R$ 40 and, in this case, children under 18 are not admitted).
bar and shop
On the balcony of the first floor there is a cafeteria which serves quiches, pies and cakes and guarantees a splendid view of the Esplanada dos Ministérios.
At the end of the visit it is worth stopping by the souvenir shop, which sells educational toys, clothes, books and tableware with the Athos Bulcão panel print.
Service
How much? R$20 (whole) and R$10 (half). Admission is free for children up to 10 years old; disabled; teachers and students of SESI, SENAI and the public network; industry workers; public in situations of social vulnerability and associate members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM). Every first Sunday of the month, admission is free for all the public. Get it from Sympla.
When? From 9:00 to 18:00 (Tuesday to Friday) and from 10:00 to 19:00 (Saturday, Sunday and public holidays). Admission is allowed up to one hour before the museum closes.
Where? South Cultural Sector, Block A, Asa Sul – Brasilia
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
