Urban Exploration: Unicamp Unfinished Theater

As I spend some time in Brazil, as always I take some time to do some urban exploration at my alma mater, Unicamp ("Universidade Estadual de Campinas" - State University of Campinas) as I did in a previous occasion. This time, in addition of taking pictures of some of the animals that roam the empty campus (everybody is on vacation) I also managed to check out a building that I had been curious for a long time: the unfinished theater.

Pretty much since the University was created, back in the 1960's, the drama and dance faculty and students have complained about the lack of a proper theater in which they could show their creations. In the best Unicamp style, there are some improvised spaces where they can do so, but the lack of a genuine space for artistic performances is undeniable. So, a few years ago, the University managed to get some government funds to create a big theater in the campus.

The structure and walls of the brand new building were put together and it was looking good. But, alas, as it often happens in government works, the funds dried out. What was left was the naked walls and roof of what one day is still going to be a functioning theater, surrounded by a chain-link fence.

And as I was passing by the location, I noticed on a hidden corner of the fence that part of it had been lowered down, making it not so difficult to climb over it. And so I did it! Inside I found some rather elaborate graffiti and a construction that is still in good shape, just waiting to be finally finished. I also found some ladders that took me all the way to the very top of the building, to its roof. One thing I did not find, to my surprise, was garbage - the inside of the building was remarkably clean, other than the natural mud in some parts.

In all, it looks like when the construction is over, it will be a wonderful theater, and I'm looking forward to check it out again when that happens.























Location: Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz - Barão Geraldo, Campinas - SP, 13083-970, Brazil

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