Centennial of Brazil's 1922 Modern Art Week Sparks Reappraisal of National Modernism
The 100th anniversary of Brazil's Modern Art Week in 1922 has prompted a significant reevaluation, shifting from mere celebration to a deeper analysis of its historical context. Events and exhibitions throughout São Paulo critically assess the movement's symbolic significance, framing the three-day gathering at Theatro Municipal within a wider modernization narrative. This new perspective also addresses social aspects previously ignored by the original modernists, such as popular culture and racial issues. Noteworthy exhibitions include "Moderno onde? Moderno quando?" at the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo and "Fluxos do Moderno" at Casa Roberto Marinho. The publication "Modernismos 1922-2022" contributes to this ongoing discussion, while the centennial shines a light on lesser-known artists, especially women, with initial events starting in 2021 organized by a consortium that includes the Pinacoteca do Estado.
Key facts
- The 1922 Modern Art Week's centennial has prompted widespread critical reappraisal beyond mere celebration.
- Scholars now emphasize the event's symbolic importance over its real historical impact, seeing it as part of a broader national modernization.
- A major focus is expanding the narrative beyond São Paulo, 1922, and the elite circles of the original modernists.
- Key exhibitions include "Moderno onde? Moderno quando?" at MAM-SP and "Fluxos do Moderno" at Casa Roberto Marinho.
- Publications like "Modernismos 1922-2022" and "Modernidade em Branco e Preto" drive the scholarly debate.
- The reassessment highlights the recovery of overlooked artists, especially women, and critiques the movement's elitism and racial exclusions.
- Reflection began in 2021 with a series of meetings sponsored by institutions like the Pinacoteca do Estado and MAC-USP.
- Poet Manuel Bandeira presciently remarked in 1952 that the event's true significance would be measured at its centennial.
Entities
Artists
- Tarsila do Amaral
- Oswald de Andrade
- Manuel Bandeira
- Anita Malfatti
- Mário de Andrade
- Cícero Dias
- Ismael Nery
- Guignard
- Goeldi
- Roberto Rodrigues
- Nelson Rodrigues
- Arthur Thimoteo da Costa
- Lima Barreto
- Allan da Rosa
- Nair de Teffé
- Chiquinha Gonzaga
- Aracy Amaral
- Regina Teixeira de Barros
- Lauro Cavalcanti
- Thiago Gil de Oliveira Virava
- Ana Paula Simioni
- Gênese Andrade
- Felipe Chaimovich
- Luiz Ruffato
- Rafael Cardoso
- Ana Maria de Moraes Belluzzo
Institutions
- Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
- Pinacoteca do Estado
- Museu de Arte Contemporânea de São Paulo
- Instituto Moreira Salles
- Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo
- MAC-USP
- Cia. das Letras
- Estação Brasil
- Academia Paulista de Letras
- Biblioteca Brasiliana
- Sesc
- Casa Roberto Marinho
- Museu Afro Brasil
- Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN)
- Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros (IEB)
- Centro Cultural Fiesp
- Sesc-SP
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Paris
- France
- Recife
- Rio de Janeiro
- Salvador
- Porto Feliz
- Mato Grosso
- Grão-Pará
- Amazônia
- Pantanal