I have started doing a lot of research on Brazilian street artists recently since I basically only have one large wall to display art in my new place in São Paulo, and I want to make sure I use it wisely. Obviously most of the artwork I like is completely out of my price range, but still it can be appreciated.
Right now Wagner Pinto is on my list of artists worth saving for, and not just because he was brought up in Porto Alegre in the south of the country like me. His work is largely inspired by candomblé, indigenous elements, religious costumes and rituals, and folklore, and I love how vibrant and clean it looks. Make sure to check out more on his website.
Copacabana To Step Into The Future With A New Museum
Avenida Atlântica in Copacabana is about to get a much deserved makeover with the new MIS (or Museum Of Image And Sound), a R$57 million project currently in development on the site once occupied by famous nightclub Help. Seven design firms, four Brazilian and three international, have presented their plans for the museum this week. Brazilian architects Bernardes & Jacobsen, Brasil Arquitetura, Isay Weinfeld, and Tacoa Arquitetos, are competing for the project against the likes of Daniel Libeskind, Shigeru Ban, and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, of the recently opened High Line in New York.
From top to bottom, projects by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Daniel Libeskind, Brasil Arquitetura, Bernardes & Jacobsen, Shigeru Ban, Tacoa Arquitetos, and Isay Weinfeld. Which one is your favorite?
For some odd reason (and that odd reason being either my friend Matthew or the sight of Doodah’s Supermodel decks), I have recently developed an obsession with skateboard decks. Lucky me my newfound obsession coincided with the launch of the RE:BOARD project in São Paulo.
Conceived by artist, skater, and musician Alexandre Sesper, the RE:BOARD project involves a documentary about Brazilian skate art, an exhibit with over 200 skateboard decks, renderings, and original artwork, and a retrospective of the work of Billy Argel, one of the most important artists in skate history in the country. The documentary premiered last week, and is currently playing on Wednesdays at 7 pm and on Saturdays at 6 pm at Matilha Cultural in São Paulo. The exhibit is on display at the same venue until August 27.
For those of you interested in Brazilian music, I would highly recommend taking the time to watch the trailer above for Beyond Ipanema: Brazilian Waves in Global Music. The film directed and written by Béco Dranoff and Guto Barra explores the Brazilian music experience outside of Brazil through interviews with the likes of M.I.A., Bebel Gilberto, CSS, David Byrne, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Seu Jorge, and many others. The world premiere is scheduled for July 17 at New York’s MoMa, with a second showing scheduled for July 26. There is no word yet on when the film will be released overseas, but I have heard from friend who have already seen it that it is pretty brilliant.
