Brazilian Artists Reinterpret Bauhaus Pedagogy in 1950s Art Schools

During the 1950s, artists and art professionals in Brazil established links to the Bauhaus, reinterpreting its concepts within the context of the Cold War. In São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, two new art schools emerged, focusing on citation and adaptation instead of mere imitation. Prominent figures such as Mário Pedrosa were instrumental in these educational efforts. Graduates from these institutions created notable works, including paintings by Lygia Clark, prompting Alfred H. Barr, Jr. to label Brazilian contemporary art as "Bauhaus exercises" in 1957. This perspective failed to recognize the unique, radical interpretation of modernism by Brazilian artists. An article published on June 5, 2016, delves into the impact of the German school on Brazilian art education, available through MIT Press with subscription access.