The news was "
a huge shock
".
A devastating fire in a hangar in Taboão da Serra, Sao Paulo last week destroyed the art collection of some of the country's most influential galleries, such as Simões de Assis, Luciana Brito and Nara Roesler.
The fire mobilized ten teams of firefighters.
It took them about five hours to smother the flames.
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While no injuries were reported, the thousands of works stored there disappeared during the tragedy.
These include paintings by Japanese artist Tomie Ohtake, installations by director and visual artist Isaac Julien and works by contemporary artist Vik Muniz.
In a statement, the Nara Roesler gallery said it did not have "
definitive information on the extent of the damage caused
".
“We are in constant contact with the authorities responsible for the technical assessment - including firefighters, police and insurance experts,”
she explained.
He added:
“We have also produced a comprehensive report on the works of art that have been affected.
To arrive at an accurate assessment of the facts, we must go through this long but necessary process. "
Vik Muniz, represented by the gallery, said he was very saddened for the institution "
which has a history as long and rich as his
".
To local Brazilian news agency Folhapress, the artist told that
“there will be losses that cannot be replaced.
"
Brazilian artist Emanoel Araújo, who owned 13 works in the Simões de Assis gallery, also lamented a symbolic loss.
“When you lose a work, it is very difficult because you cannot rebuild it.
This is something that has been done in the past, and which is really lost,
”he explained to the same press agency.
And to add: “
There is no justification, it is a lack of attention, of responsibility.
You can say whatever you want, but nothing that is said will solve it.
"
Respondent, the logistics and specialized transport company Alke, which owns the warehouse, defended itself in a press release, declaring that it had "
never had a similar case in the history of the company
", and ensuring that they have an up-to-date fire inspection certificate.