Public Project
The Worm
Copyright Daniel Hoffman 2024
Updated May 2015
Topics Architecture, Documentary, Latin America, Minhocao, The Worm, Urban

Breathing Life Into The Worm

O Minhocão (The Worm) creeps out of a tunnel near the center of São Paulo, a mega-city of almost 18 million inhabitants. The Worm was created partly to relieve traffic congestion or, as some say, to  ease the mayor's drive to city hall. Nonetheless, The Worm is a massive concrete structure that spans 2.2 miles through the city, lifting traffic up from residential streets to an elevated highway that sends 8,000 cars a day within a few meters of residents' windows. It is equally detested and loved, praised and cursed, hoped to remain or disappear. Regardless, all agree that it is a creature, good or bad, and one that has life thanks to the people who live by it, work or live near it, or use it. This project is an attempt to explore the energy that gives life to The Worm, how those who use it, live by it, or work by it, add some element that allows The Worm to breathe, live, and take on a personality of its own.

3,672

Also by Daniel Hoffman —

Project

Mothers in global settings

Daniel Hoffman
Project

Samba and Politics in Brazil

Daniel Hoffman
Project

Motoboys of Rocinha

Daniel Hoffman
Project

While We Sleep

Daniel Hoffman
The Worm by Daniel Hoffman
Sign-up for
For more access