Getting arty in Brazil
Art is something that can transcend nationality. There is no need for translation much of the time, no need to be able to speak in another tongue, and for those moving into Brazilian property, indulging in the cultural delights of the country may help them settle in with greater ease.
The UK’s recent celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Neoconcrete art movement, which emanated from Brazil, was perhaps symbolic of art’s ability to break down barriers between nations. It focused on the work of the Jornal do Brasil newspaper’s Sunday supplement, which was the main platform for the distribution of Neoconcrete concepts and critique between the late 1950s and the early 1960s.
As part of the celebration, research undertaken into the archives of the Jornal do Brasil has uncovered lesser-known articles and reviews. Reproductions of these will be on display for the first time in Britain at the Gallery 32 in London.
So what does Brazil itself have to offer visitors? The main cities of the South American nation are ideal for arty excursions and Brazilian property owners can make their way over to Sao Paulo to look around the plethora of museums and galleries.
One of these is State Pinacoteca, the city’s first art museum. Its permanent collection consists of 5,000 pieces, including paintings, sculptures and engravings by Brazilian artists. Temporary exhibitions can also be explored by Brazil real estate owners in the area.
Station Pinacoteca, which was designed at the start of the 20th century by Ramos de Azevedo, carries out similar work in the cultural sphere. Having once been home to the Department of Political and Social Order, it underwent a complete restoration in 2002 to now feature works of art over its five floors.
The Modern Art Museum is ideal for those Brazilian property owners looking for more contemporary works. It features around 2,000 pieces and is also home to a shop, a library and a restaurant/bar for those who want to sit back and contemplate the artistry of the country. The Contemporary Art Museum is also worth a look.
Sao Paulo is also home to the Museum of Brazilian Art, opened in 1961. Here, there is a collection of thousands of works from both Brazilian artists and foreign residents in the country, most of which come from between the 1960s and the 1980s.
Rio de Janeiro is also home to some fine artistic treats and those with Brazil real estate are sure to have heard of such establishments as the National Museum of Beaux Arts. Here, they will find rarities from artists like Victor Meirelles and Rodolfo Amoedo, which form part of the largest collection of Brazilian art from the 19th century.
Foreign paintings can also be viewed at this notable museum, such as Italian baroque paintings. Indeed, there are a number of rooms to view, all of which are divided thematically, and there are some fantastic temporary exhibitions on offer as well.
Laura Rendell-Dunn, spokesperson for Journey Latin America, who pointed to the growing prominence of art in the country, has spoken of a new development set for Rio, involving the Help nightclub. The site is to be transformed into a music-based museum, with architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which notably gave New York’s Lincoln Centre a facelift, appointed for the work.
As new developments take place in the South American nation’s art world and with old museums still offering much, it appears that Brazilian property owners with a passion for culture will not be disappointed.
