On Jan 24, Conjunto Nacional’s façade becomes monumental art: 11 artists reinterpret São Paulo in giant banners and ground-floor totems.
São Paulo marks its anniversary with art at street scale. Starting January 24, the city hosts the fifth edition of the São Paulo 472 Years Exhibition Cycle, São Paulo 2026, titled “If this street were ours…”, curated by Vera Simões. In the middle of Paulista Avenue’s constant rush, Conjunto Nacional becomes a public canvas—inviting passersby to pause and see the city through a more poetic lens.
Eleven artists, one shared city—seen differently
This year’s lineup includes Dulce Julianelli, Gaby Alves, Gaby Faltay, Leila Lagonegro, Malu Mesquita, Mariana Naves, Máximo Hernández, Pedro Greene, Rose Rossetti, Silvana LaCreta Ravena and Zina Kossoy. Each artist chose a specific street in São Paulo, building an affective map that crosses neighborhoods, eras and personal histories.
From childhood memories to iconic avenues and everyday scenes, the works form a visual itinerary that speaks to locals and visitors alike. The goal is not a postcard version of São Paulo, but a layered portrait of a restless, diverse metropolis.
Conjunto Nacional’s façade as monumental display
The exhibition occupies one of Paulista Avenue’s busiest corners with a large-format installation: twelve banners measuring 7 meters by 4 meters, plus thirteen totems on the ground floor. By shifting contemporary art into a high-visibility public space, the project reinforces the street as a place for culture, coexistence and shared attention.
Curated by Vera Simões with access at the center
Curator and VerArte Gallery owner Vera Simões is known for expanding the reach of contemporary art in Brazil by moving it beyond traditional gallery circuits. With more than two decades of work, four published books and a commitment to cultural accessibility, she frames this edition around a simple idea: art can belong to everyday life.
Book launch and gallery show extend the program
Alongside the Paulista installation, VerArte launches the third edition of the book São Paulo 472, São Paulo 2026, “If this street were ours…”, at Livraria Paisagem, located at Cidade Matarazzo in Bela Vista. The publication brings together the artists’ works as well as texts that reflect on the city’s cultural, social and urban layers.
The celebration also continues at VerArte Gallery on historic Rua Barão de Tatuí, where the artists’ physical works will be on view from January 17 through March 3. The gallery show invites a deeper encounter with each perspective presented in the public installation.
Service information
São Paulo 472 Years Exhibition Cycle — São Paulo 2026: “If this street were ours…”
Dates: January 24 to February 25, 2026
Location: Conjunto Nacional façade (Paulista Avenue, São Paulo)
Installation: 12 banners (7 m x 4 m) and 13 ground-floor totems
Book: 3rd edition launch at Livraria Paisagem (Cidade Matarazzo, Bela Vista)
Gallery show: VerArte Gallery (Rua Barão de Tatuí) — January 17 to March 3
Photo: Divulgação
