interview: Oscar Niemeyer

'I pick up my pen. A building appears'


He is arguably the world's greatest living architect. As Oscar Niemeyer 
prepares to turn 100, he grants Jonathan Glancey a rare interview - and 
looks back on an extraordinary career

Wednesday August 1, 2007
The Guardian

'Fidel Castro sent me that box of Havana cigars last week," says Oscar 
Niemeyer, looking dapper in blue linen trousers and black shirt with 
silver buttons. Holding court in his penthouse studio in Rio de Janeiro, 
this giant among architects continues: "And those boxing gloves next to 
it are signed by the Cuban world champion. One time, Fidel came to see 
me here, late at night, and the elevator broke down. It's very old. So I 
rang a neighbour and asked if my friend could come through his 
apartment. He was in his pyjamas and, I think, a little surprised to 
watch four giant bodyguards and then Castro walking past his bedroom. 
Fidel gave him a cigar."

cont'd....
http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/architecture/story/0,,2139073,00.html