Quando o cinema vai à rua, a rua vai ao cinema: projeto de reuso de edifício de valor patrimonial em cinema de rua e centro audiovisual

Abstract

Street cinemas are a cultural instrument with a social tendency of creating memories and experiences through sociable spaces that are connected to the streets. It is essential to perceive the cinema as a shared and collective practice. Unfortunately, street cinemas are becoming increasingly uncommon in Brazilian capitals, due to the predominance of cinemas located in shopping malls. Natal, the capital of the Rio Grande do Norte’s state, has had all of its street cinemas demolished or repurposed. Similarly, a considerable amount of Natal’s historic buildings are facing a comparable situation, they are being neglected and are soon to be completely abandoned. The scope of this research, the building of the former headquarters of SEMUT - (Natal’s Tax Department) - with over 100 years of existence, has been unused for more than 10 years, exhibiting signs of abandonment throughout its structure. Regarding cinema and heritage, this research aims to develop a preliminary project for the reuse of the former headquarters of SEMUT, focusing on integrating it with its surroundings and proposing a junction between, street cinema, audiovisual center, and public space. To achieve this, contemporary theories and methods of restoration were discussed; as well as the outline of cinema as a social instrument and as a place of exchange of experiences; the understanding of design strategies based on reference studies; and the analysis of how the building is inserted in the context of the historic center. The proposed intervention seeks to create a dynamic space that allows various types of audiovisual production and reproduction. Based on this proposal of intervention in a building belonging to the city’s cultural heritage complex, a cultural space was conceived to reinforce the dynamics of the historic center. Furthermore, based on the shortcomings encountered during the process of designing buildings of heritage value, a series of urban interventions were proposed to foster the dialogue regarding the abandonment of street cinemas through the posting of flyers on historic buildings. These actions aim to revive the culture of the street cinema in Natal, preserving the city’s historical memory and promoting cinematic culture as a collective and enriching experience.