In 2016–17, in downtown São Paulo, Brazil, low-wage workers, refugees and artists occupied the abandoned 17-story Cambridge Hotel as part a project called the "Cambridge Artistic Residency," or CARe. Their efforts ultimately led to the building's transformation into government-funded social housing and a vibrant cultural hub.
Now, the Fowler Museum at UCLA revisits and extends that groundbreaking moment with "Construction, Occupation," which examines the intersections of art, activism and social justice through the lens of urban transformation. The international exhibition, which opened May 4 and runs through Jan. 11, 2026, brings together 24 artists and collectives, primarily from Brazil, and invites visitors to reflect on how urban spaces can be reimagined through collective action.
Curated by Alex Ungprateeb Flynn, an associate professor in the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance, and São Paulo–based independent curators Juliana Caffé and Yudi Rafael, the exhibition — which features photography, video and installations from the original CARe residency alongside newly commissioned works — highlights the power of creative resistance, drawing direct connections between São Paulo and Los Angeles.
"'Construction, Occupation' examines art's potential to shape the spaces in which we live, presenting a radical urban vocabulary that blurs the boundaries between art and activism," Flynn said. "By linking São Paulo's history of occupation-based social change with the urgent housing crises in Los Angeles, 'Construction, Occupation' proposes new models of resistance and collective action to reclaim space and advocate for social justice."
In addition to the focus on CARe, many of the exhibition's artworks relate to other key housing justice movements in São Paulo, from the occupation of Prestes Maia, a former textile factory, in the 2000s to the ongoing 9 de Julho Occupation, which has turned a former government building into a home for more than 100 families.
"Bringing 'Construction, Occupation' to the Fowler aligns with our commitment to presenting exhibitions that challenge perspectives and foster meaningful dialogue on global social issues," said Silvia Forni, the Shirley & Ralph Shapiro Director of the Fowler Museum. "By showcasing the intersection of art and activism, this exhibition highlights the transformative power of community-driven artistic practices and invites visitors to reconsider the role of public space in shaping equitable cities."
