Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism

The exhibition Brasil! Brasil! Aufbruch in die Moderne [The Birth of Modernism] uncovers the new modern art that emerged from Brazil in the first half of the 20th century. Brazilian modernism emerged as artists blended international artistic trends with their own unique cultural expressions, incorporating Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous identities, to forge a distinct artistic identity. This period of cultural flourishing is now recognised as Brazilian modernism. Featuring over 130 works by ten important Brazilian artists, including Tarsila do Amaral, Anita Malfatti, Rubem Valentim and Djanira da Motta e Silva, it captures the diversity of Brazilian art at the time. The visual elements used in the catalogue are reduced, inspired by simple geometric shapes from the modern visual repertoire, as well as graphic design publications of the period. The colourful V-shapes represent the sunrise, symbolising the optimism and euphoria of the era: a great boom for the arts and society. Exhibition curated by Fabienne Eggelhöfer and Roberta Saraiva Coutinho. Published by Snoeck.