José Damasceno's 'Moto-contínuo' at Estação Pinacoteca Critiqued as Formally Beautiful but Contextually Disconnected
The exhibition 'Moto-contínuo' by José Damasceno is on display at Estação Pinacoteca in São Paulo from April 24 to August 30, 2021. Curated by José Augusto Ribeiro, it presents over 70 pieces created between 1989 and 2021, including installations and drawings made from materials such as marble and cigarettes. Among the highlighted works are 'Trilha Sonora' and 'Snooker.' Lynn Zelevansky notes that Damasceno's art creates a 'world of its own,' infused with surreal psychological elements, drawing inspiration from figures like William James, Edgar Allan Poe, and Jorge Luis Borges. Critics, however, point out the exhibition's 'cold beauty' and its lack of broader context. The accompanying catalog is commended for documenting a politically charged public installation, particularly in relation to the nearby 'cracolândia' area.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Moto-contínuo' by José Damasceno runs from April 24 to August 30, 2021.
- Over 70 works from 1989 to 2021 are displayed at Estação Pinacoteca in São Paulo.
- Curated by José Augusto Ribeiro, the show includes installations like 'Trilha Sonora' and 'Snooker'.
- American curator Lynn Zelevansky contributes catalog text describing a surreal psychological dimension.
- Materials range from noble marble to perishable cigarettes, emphasizing formal experimentation.
- The exhibition is criticized for being aesthetically beautiful but contextually disconnected and superficial.
- The catalog documents a public installation with political messages on real banknotes in urban areas.
- Free admission requires prior appointment at Largo General Osório, 66 – Santa Ifigênia.
Entities
Artists
- José Damasceno
- Mário Pedrosa
- Lynn Zelevansky
- William James
- Edgar Allan Poe
- Jorge Luis Borges
- José Augusto Ribeiro
Institutions
- Estação Pinacoteca
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Santa Ifigênia