International Boycott of São Paulo Biennial During Military Dictatorship
The 1969 São Paulo Biennial encountered a global boycott prompted by Brazil's military government, initiated by local artists and backed by nations such as the U.S., France, Mexico, Sweden, and the Netherlands. European efforts were spearheaded by French critic Pierre Restany, who gathered a petition with 321 signatures, including that of Pablo Picasso. The New York Times condemned the censorship in Brazil, while Italy's Corriere della Sera alerted readers to the risks facing the Biennial. Early in the boycott, Eduard de Wilde from Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum showed support. In 1967/1968, police removed Cybele Varela's artwork, and Quissak Júnior was threatened with arrest. Following Institutional Act No. 5, repression escalated, resulting in exiles, while artists like Nelson Leirner and Antonio Henrique Amaral expressed their dissent through their art.
Key facts
- The 1969 São Paulo Biennial suffered an international boycott protesting Brazil's military dictatorship.
- The boycott began with Brazilian artists and spread to the US, France, Mexico, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
- French critic Pierre Restany led European actions, and a petition gathered 321 signatures, including Pablo Picasso's.
- In the 1967/1968 edition, Federal Police removed Cybele Varela's work and threatened artist Quissak Júnior.
- After AI-5 in 1968, critics Mário Pedrosa and Mário Schenberg faced prison threats, and many intellectuals were exiled.
- Police invaded Rio's MAM in 1969, closing an exhibition of works for the 6th Paris Biennial.
- Foreign Minister José de Magalhães Pinto claimed the artworks aimed to turn public opinion against the government.
- Artists like Nelson Leirner and Antonio Henrique Amaral created covert critiques, with some winning prizes despite censorship.
Entities
Artists
- Cybele Varela
- Quissak Júnior
- Jasper Johns
- César
- Cruz Dias
- Pistoletto
- Mário Pedrosa
- Mário Schenberg
- Nelson Leirner
- Flávio Motta
- Antonio Henrique Amaral
- Cláudio Tozzi
- Tomoshige Kusuno
- Regina Vater
- Pablo Picasso
- Pierre Restany
- Pontus Hulten
- Eduard de Wilde
- Antônio Manuel
- Humberto Espíndola
- Carlos Vergara
- Evandro Teixeira
- Abrão Assad
- Roberto Gandolfi
- Jaime Lerner
- Luiz Forte Netto
- José Sanchotene
- Almeida Prado
- Cardoso Lidembergue
- Marlos Nobre
- Pol Bury
Institutions
- Bienal Internacional de São Paulo
- Polícia Federal
- Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM)
- Folha de S. Paulo
- Museu de Arte Moderna de Paris
- New York Times
- Corriere della Sera
- Stedelijk Museum
- 6a Bienal de Paris
- Salão Nacional
- II Bienal de Antuérpia
- Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro
- Bienal de Paris
- Bienal de São Paulo
- Correio da Manhã
- Departamento Cultural do Ministério de Relações Exteriores
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro
- United States
- France
- Mexico
- Sweden
- Netherlands
- Amsterdam
- Paris
- New York
- Italy
- Ibirapuera