Nuno Ramos and Teatro da Vertigem Stage Reverse Car Procession on São Paulo's Avenida Paulista
On a Tuesday night at 10 PM, over 100 vehicles drove in reverse on Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, Brazil. This was the performance-filmic work MARCHA À RÉ, conceived by visual artist Nuno Ramos in collaboration with Teatro da Vertigem. The procession emitted an unusual symphony: not horns or music, but the loud sound of respirators used in COVID-19 treatment units. Nuno Ramos explained the work as a response to a 'triumphal march of violence and neglect' regarding the coronavirus in Brazil, proposing 'a small reversal of that energy.' He suggested the performance helps instil an affect of solidarity within an increasingly anesthetized society, referencing ideas from Judith Butler and Vladimir Safatle. Dramaturg Antonio Duran added that solidarity becomes a revolutionary affect. Filmmaker Eryk Rocha documented the event, transforming it into a short film to be screened at the Berlin Biennale, which runs from September 5 to November 1, 2020, in Germany. The performance created a striking public intervention on one of São Paulo's busiest avenues.
Key facts
- Over 100 vehicles drove in reverse on Avenida Paulista.
- The performance MARCHA À RÉ occurred on a Tuesday night at 10 PM.
- Nuno Ramos conceived the work with Teatro da Vertigem.
- The soundscape used respirators from COVID-19 treatment units.
- Nuno Ramos described it as a reversal of energy against violence and neglect.
- Dramaturg Antonio Duran linked the work to solidarity as a revolutionary affect.
- Eryk Rocha filmed the performance for a short film.
- The film will screen at the Berlin Biennale from September 5 to November 1, 2020.
Entities
Artists
- Nuno Ramos
- Antonio Duran
- Eryk Rocha
Institutions
- Teatro da Vertigem
- Berlin Biennale
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Avenida Paulista
- Germany
- Berlin