Nude performance at MAM São Paulo sparks protests, political controversy over alleged 'paedophilia'

A nude performance by Wagner Schwartz at the Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo (MAM) during the 35º Panorama da Arte Brasileira exhibition has ignited fierce protests and counter-protests. Right-wing activists from Movimento Brasil Livre (MBL) accused the museum of promoting paedophilia, particularly after a video showed a child briefly touching the artist's hand and leg during the interactive work. São Paulo's mayor, João Doria, publicly sided with the critics, condemning the museum for abusing creative freedom and promoting 'artificial relationships'. This political intervention amplified the controversy, which had been circulating on social media, with pastor Marco Feliciano labeling the work 'revolting' and its creators 'destroyers of the family'. In response, the city's arts community, including Fernanda Brenner of Pivô, defended the institution, accusing Doria of supporting 'hate and repression' and warning of a slide toward authoritarianism. The museum clarified that signage warned visitors about the performance's nature and the child was accompanied, noting the work was a performative response to Lygia Clark's 'Bicho' sculptures. Over the weekend, unfounded rumors spread about Schwartz's death, though he has not been seen since the performance. MBL, which emerged in 2014 opposing then-president Dilma Rousseff, previously caused the closure of a queer art survey in Porto Alegre. The incident highlights deepening cultural and political divides in Brazil.