Inhotim, R. B, 20, Brumadinho - MG, 32497-142, Brazil Copy to clipboard
-20.124148, -44.21935 Copy to clipboard
On view status
Samson is not on permanent display. It is stored within the institution’s collection and exhibited periodically. For the current exhibition status, visit Inhotim’s official website.
Before you go
Clothing: Wear comfortable walking shoes, as Inhotim involves extensive walking. Bring a hat and sunscreen, especially during sunny days.
Dining options: Dining options are spread across the park, so you’ll never be far from a place to eat or take a break during your visit. These include the Tamboril Restaurant for high-quality meals, Café das Flores for snacks, and the Oiticica Restaurant for local flavors.
Nearby attractions: Explore other installations at Inhotim, including works by Yayoi Kusama and Olafur Eliasson.
Reservation needed: Entry tickets must be purchased in advance, especially during weekends and holidays. Reservations for inside transportation or private cart rentals can also be made online or at the front desk.
Supplies: Bring water and snacks, as options inside the park can be expensive and limited.
Visit duration: Plan to spend at least 4-6 hours at Inhotim to see the highlights, as the park spans 140 hectares (345 acres) with numerous artworks and gardens. To experience everything fully, allocate two full days; otherwise, expect to miss many installations.
Best visit time
The best time to visit Inhotim is on weekdays in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy softer lighting for photos.
Plan for pleasant weather, as much of the complex is outdoors.
Avoid visiting during the rainy season, as many paths can become difficult to navigate.
Directions
From Belo Horizonte
By car: Drive via BR-381 or BR-040, passing through Piedade do Paraopeba or Topo do Mundo to reach Inhotim. Free parking is available near the entrance.
By transfer: Belvitur Transfer departs at 8 am from Holiday Inn, Rua Professor Moraes, nº 600 – Savassi, Belo Horizonte, and returns at 4:30 pm (Wednesday–Friday) or 5:30 pm (Saturday, Sunday, Holidays). Prices: BRL 110 round trip, BRL 55 one-way. Advance reservation is required via phone or website.
By bus: Cia Coordenadas Bus Lines departs at 8:15 am from Belo Horizonte Bus Station and returns at the same times as Belvitur. Prices: BRL 60.67 (one-way), BRL 53.80 (return). Tickets are available online or at the station.
From Brumadinho
By car: Inhotim is a 15-minute drive from the town center along MG-040.
By foot: Inhotim is located 2 kilometers from the town center, which takes about 25 minutes on foot.
General
Nearest station: The Brumadinho Bus Terminal is the closest transit hub. Visitors arriving there can take a taxi or walk 2 kilometers (about 25 minutes) to reach Inhotim.
Introduction
What do you think would happen if you connect a 100-ton jack to a turnstile and gearbox? In case you feel confused with all that, then you’re probably unfamiliar with Chris Burden’s Samson. Burden (1946-2015) has managed to employ different items to create a stunning piece of artwork.
Apart from the items above, the rest include a winch, timber, leather strap, steel plates, steel, and worm gear. He has masterfully used all the elements to come up with a sculpture that continues to impress anyone who dares to look at it.
What is Samson?
Ideally, the question should be, “Who is Samson?” However, that question would be remiss when referring to the Samson that Chris Burden painstakingly created in 1985. Through this kinetic installation, the jack pushes two massive timbers against the overbearing museum walls.
Furthermore, visitors are all able to view the exhibition. However, for this to happen, you would first need to pass through the turnstile. Theoretically, Burden wishes to use it to tease your mind by making you believe that Samson is capable of destroying the museum if more visitors arrive.
Samson’s Subtle Message
Typically, you may not think much about Samson at first. Mostly, your thoughts would revolve around the piece of technology that allows it to move the way it does. However, Chris Burden isn’t your everyday apolitical artist.
Burden has built a solid reputation in the world of anti-authoritarian artists whose messages resonate with the masses. Based on that, you are definitely on the money to think or conclude that Samson carries a political meaning. The message is about resistance and pressure from the masses that bring the desired changes.
Video: Chris Burden speaks about Samson
2 min 24 sec
Conclusion
Conclusion
As an artist known for challenging institutional power, Burden created this piece to suggest that with enough collective participation, the very structures containing art could be brought to the point of collapse through the accumulated actions of museum visitors.
According to Burden, any building could be brought down. Here, the building refers to the museum in which the sculpture stands.
You may be wondering why he would be interested in destroying a museum, even on a theoretical basis. Well, he was part of a group of artists who always considered museums part of the establishment. Because of this, it’s easier to understand why he would wish to see the establishment collapsing into a heap.
Chris Burden’s Art
Lastly, in talking about Samson, one must also delve into the kind of art that Chris Burden practiced. Samson demonstrates his passion for Land Art. It’s also a perfect illustration of his Performance Art. Conceptual art is something that Burden practiced as well.
He used them to add his voice to the issues of the day that were close to his heart. In the 1970s and 1980s, when Burden’s art was at its peak, topics such as antiwar student rebellions and the equal rights movement were quite popular.
