The Hirshhorn Museum has opened its doors to an expansive, surreal, and whimsical world with the U.S. debut of OSGEMEOS’ largest exhibition to date, “Endless Story.” Brazilian twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo, known collectively as OSGEMEOS, invite visitors into their vividly imaginative universe, where larger-than-life figures, music and dreamlike landscapes come alive.
“This show pulsates with their collaborations with artists, and with one another,” said Melissa Chiu, director of the Hirshhorn Museum. “The wonderful thing about this building is that you can experience this show over and over again.”
The exhibition spans their early childhood works to their more recent large-scale installations, comprising nearly 1,000 artworks. It’s a culmination of over four decades of creativity, fusing visual art, music, and the culture of their native São Paulo. Visitors are not merely spectators but are transported into the mythical world of “Três Três,” a fantasy land that has been central to OSGEMEOS’ artistic narrative since childhood.
The preview event brought together a dynamic community of artists and cultural figures.
“What we see here is the development of their society,” explained curator Marina Isgro during the narrated gallery tour. “Even if you look at the salon wall, you see their style mature and change until you get to the very recent work at the end of the gallery.”
One of the highlights of the exhibition is the incorporation of OSGEMEOS’ distinctive mural style, which has garnered international acclaim. Their “giants,” characters painted directly onto buildings without background detailing, have become iconic.
Isgro noted, “They were the first, really, to popularize that style,” emphasizing how elements of the architecture are often integrated into the mural, such as a chimney becoming a hat or hair flowing from a building’s rooftop.
Beyond the murals, the show includes an impressive range of multimedia installations. One notable work is “The Tree House,” a fantastical and interactive sculpture that captures the spirit of their collaboration.
Inspiration Behind the Art
OSGEMEOS’ works draw from several inspirations.
“We are very connected to music,” Gustavo Pandolfo remarked, highlighting the synergy between their visual art and music. “When we see our painting, we see, like, dancing… there is a music behind it.”
For the Pandolfo brothers, their art is deeply tied to their experience of growing up in the vibrant and tumultuous streets of São Paulo. Many of the works are infused with the culture of graffiti and hip-hop, movements that shaped their artistic voice.
“This wall is very special in the show because it’s like where we come from,” Gustavo Pandolfo reflected. “We come from this city somehow.”
With works that evoke a sense of nostalgia, playfulness, and awe, “Endless Story” invites viewers into a kaleidoscope of color and emotion. Whether it’s through murals, sculptures, or music, OSGEMEOS continues to push the boundaries of what it means to create art in today’s world.
The exhibition is on view through February, with free admission for all visitors, who are also encouraged to return to the exhibit and revisit works.
As Chiu remarked: “We look forward to welcoming you back to experience this again.”