Antiga Fábrica da Bhering Opens Doors for Weekend Event

By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Antiga Fábrica da Bhering in Santo Cristo is opening its doors again on Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th from 2PM-9PM. This weekend marks the December edition of the recurring event that features the artists and artisans currently located and working within the repurposed factory building, opening their doors to the public and welcoming them in for two days of behind the scenes views of their work spaces.

Additionally, the two-day event is packed with dozens of installations, performances, video exhibits, and a screening of Emílio Domingos’s award-winning documentary “A Batalha do Passinho.”

Taking up over 20,000 square meters, the Antiga Fábrica da Bhering is a multi-story building originally built in 1934 as a factory for Bhering chocolates. Due to logistics problems, the company later moved their operations to the state of Minas Gerais. The artists then moved in, repurposing the abandoned spaces.

Artists, designers and artisans who will open their spaces to the public during this weekend’s event include publisher A Bolha Editora; clothing designers Angela Brito, Fécula, and umauma; photography studio Atelier Branco; pottery studio Atelier do Terraço; eateries Café da Fábrica and Gulemix na Fábrica; footwear designers Comparsaria Sapataria; and furniture designers mooc, among others.

Artists exhibiting during the two-day event will include Bel Magalhães, Juliana D’Assunção, Rafael Alonso, Yuli Anastassakis, Alonso Martinez, Nil Caniné, and Vanessa Nossa, among others. Additionally, Rodrigo Torres will present the installation “Monumento Maravilha,” and Danielle Cukierman will present “Relato.”

Live performances will take place on Saturday from 7PM to 9PM as part of “OCUPA SETOR 5 / 2.” Performers will include André Sheik, Fernanda Gomes, Luana Aguiar, Milena Travassos, and Raphael Couto, among others. Sixteen artists including Bruno Pinho, Daniel Santiso, Eduardo Tavares and Rafael Amorim will present video installations.

On both Saturday and Sunday DJs Sol and Maria from GO East, will spin live from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and Emílio Domingos’s documentary “A Batalha do Passinho” will screen on Saturday at 7PM. Parking is available on site and a special van will circulate from the Museu MAR to from 2PM to 6PM.

What: Fábrica Aberta Dezembro 2014 (Factory Open Door December)
When: Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th. Open 2PM to 9PM on both days.
Where: Antiga Fábrica da Bhering, Rua Orestes 28, Santo Cristo
Entrance: See venue for details.