Google Doodle celebrates architect Clorindo Testa with a doodle dedicated to him on his birthday. Testa was an Italian-Argentine artist and architect well-known as a leading figure in modern architecture in Latin America. He was born in Naples, Italy, in 1923. During his early days, his family resettled in Argentina. Here, he discovered his love for art.
Testa embarked on a remarkable career after graduating in architecture from the Universidad de Buenos Aires in 1948. This left an indelible mark on the architectural landscape. Notably, his first significant project in 1955 involved constructing a government centre in La Pampa. He made his foray into Brutalist architecture, emphasising minimalist designs and showcasing raw building materials.
He became internationally renowned for his project to build Banco de Londres y América del Sud. A work that is considered a masterpiece of Brutalist building. Subsequently, in 1962, he received a commission to design the Biblioteca Nacional de la República Argentina. This further solidified his status as a leading architect on both the local and international stages.
Testa is believed to have broken the boundaries and norms of 20th-century construction. He has helped develop a new architectural language and style in Argentina. His architectural style seamlessly blended his artistic sensibilities. Testa’s projects are characterized by the innovative use of colour, tension, metaphors, and plasticity.
He was a prominent figure of modern architecture who worked on more than 60 projects in his life. In 2019, the Mariano Moreno National Library of Argentina, one of his most emblematic works, was declared a national historic monument. He received the Konex Award three times throughout his career. The first was in 1982, the second in 1992 and the third in 2012.
Testa’s legacy endures as a testament to his contributions to modern architecture. This doodle dedicated to revered artists mainly spans regions of Mexico, Peru, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina.
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