Transcript
THE ART OF MINAS GERAIS
In the heart of Washington, a new kind of sun is rising…shining a light on a beautiful horizon.
That’s the name of the exhibition that showcases more than 56 works of art from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais at the IDB’s Cultural Center.
The extensive collection features pieces ranging from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
But according to Felix Angel, the Exhibit’s curator, Mina’s art is made for all people, by all people as well.
“The state of Minas Gerais has a vast artistic history and we want to reflect it – not only from the point of view of the formally educated artist, but also of those artists who learned their craft in the street.”
The invitation begins in the yesteryear… with Mina’s Baroque, made famous in the Historical city of Ouro Preto.
These oratories of both domestic and religious use, have left their home country for the very first time – to illuminate the era of colonial Brazil.
The most well known artist of this period is Alejadinho, the son of a Portuguese arquitect and black slave.
Alejadinho means “little injured one”…and the sculptor received his nickname after disease left him paralyzed. To compose his works, he had to tie a hammer and chisel to his arm.
The second section of the exhibition illustrates popular arts and crafts, made typically in minas from wood and ceramic.
These are the namoraderias – ceramic pieces that represent a classical figure in Brazilian folklore.
The sculptures depict a typical small town girl, as if she was leaning over her windowsill to flirt with passers by.
The third section dedicated to Belo Horizonte – the city designed by engineer Aarao reis with an eye on the neoclassic.
Inaugurated in 1897, Belo Horizonte aimed to bridge the colonial past with the era of a modern independent Brazil.
In 1940 Mayor Juscelino Kubitcheck implemented an aggressive urban plan that renovated Belo Horizonte and converted it into a tourist focal point – with great avenues, and leisure centers like the one at Pampulha, the city’s suburb.
Kubitchek’s arduous work in the name of renovation and modernization made the marriage between politics and culture possible – and took Belo Horizonte from the local and quaint – to the modern and sophisticated.
The IDB’s president Luis Alberto Moreno, Agrees with Kubitchek’s vision:
“When everyone leaves this year’s annual IDB meeting, they’ll be able to say: I am from the world. I am from Minas Gerais.”
The Lyrics from a song by Mina’s Milton Nascimento gave a warm welcome to those arriving at Expominas, site of this year’s annual IDB-IIC meeting.
But they are also reflected in the last part of this exhibition – one that includes works from local artists who are relatively unknown.
Here they have the opportunity to show the diversity of their aesthetic, and the strength and vigor of Minas Gerais’ art, in it’s various expressions.
For Mayor Fernando Pimentel, this exhibition is more than a manifestation of his city’s potential.
“We’re inaugurating here today an exhibit about our history and art – and it’s an important step to consolidate our city as a place that attracts events, tourism and business – a city full of opportunities. We are very happy to be a part of this event.”
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