Brussels, Belgium – For its 2011 festival, Europalia has decided to introduce Brazil to the Belgian and European audience. The choice of Brazil fits into a coherent line as previous festivals presented the cultural wealth of two other BRIC countries (Russia in 2005 and China in 2009). With diversity as its central theme, europalia.brasil will aim to present a complete overview of Brazilian art and culture. The festival will display Brazil many facets and illustrate the incredible diversity of its culture, still too little-known in Europe. From October 4th through January 15th 2012, over 600 events, 2,650 artworks and more than 1,000 artists and experts from Brazil as well as hundreds of works and artists from Europe, will exhibit in 200 cultural venues both in Belgium and in neighbouring countries.
The Palais des Beaux-Arts (or BOZAR) in Brussels is participating with two featured exhibitions showing the evolution of Brazilian art from the 19th century until now. “Brazil.Brasil” (opening October 6th) will present a historical perspective and show the different visions that Brazilian artists had of their country in their search for identity through diversity, while “Art in Brazil” (opening October 12th) will trace the evolution and revolution of Brazilian art from the 1950s until the present day. Both exhibitions will remain on view until January 15th 2012.
BOZAR will also be showing two smaller exhibitions, one dedicated to the Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha (October 12th through January 15th) and “Extremes”, and exhibition showing the history of photography in Brazil (from October 6th through January 15th). With close to 200 million people, Brazil is one of the most populated and multicultural countries in the world. From the heirs of European settlers to the Amazon Indians, from the Afro-Brazilians – descendants of slaves – to immigrants from Japan, Lebanon, Italy, China, Germany… Brazil has managed to draw upon its origins and the mosaic of its peoples. At the crossroads of all these cultures you will find an extremely diversified society with a rich culture that must be discovered beyond clichés. The diversity is also to be found in the fauna and flora.
With a territory of 8.5 million km2, Brazil alone represents half of South America. From the majestic semi-arid landscapes of the Nordeste to the mangrove swamps and lagoons of the coast, from the inland savannahs and pampas to the exuberant Amazon forest, Brazil is known for its unique biodiversity. In addition it is the 8th largest world economy. With its geographical, economic and social contrasts, Brazil has developed an ever-progressing culture where visual arts, architecture, design, literature, music, theatre, dance and film intertwine. Eclecticism, multiculturalism, syncretism, contrasts, immensity, exuberance, luxuriance, colours, rhythms and flavours… Brazilian culture symbolizes the diversity of its peoples, its regions, its climates, its traditions and indigenous cultures, its beliefs, its languages and its arts. A team of innovative European and Brazilian curators have worked to set up a programme of 24 exhibitions which will reflect this diversity. Some twenty exhibitions will be charting the fascinating history of Brazilian art, from the first inhabitants of Brazil up to contemporary and future upcoming talents.
Playing a key role in the cultural life of Brussels for over 70 years, the Palais des Beaux-Arts (or BOZAR) is a not just a home for art exhibitions, but also a mecca for the city’s music and dance and also the home to the Belgian National Orchestra. The Palais des Beaux-Arts owes its existence to Henri Le Boeuf, a music-loving financier. He commissioned the architect Victor Horta to design a centre that would bring together multiple artistic disciplines under the one roof. Horta’s brief was to design a centre that would house concert halls and exhibition space that would cater for music, theatre, cinema and art. The design had to make art accessible to as many people as possible and in as many different forms as possible, but without compromising on standards. Several challenges were faced by Horta in his design, not least of which was the sloping land he had to work with. The location’s close proximity to the Palais Royale also meant that his building was not to allowed to obstruct the palace’s line of view down to the city. Horta had therefore to look underground to find his space. It took seven years (from 1922 to 1929) for the art deco complex to be completed, requiring him to alter his plans six times. There are three concert halls: The Henry Le Boeuf Hall seats 2,200 concertgoers and its oval shape is a delight to both the ear and the eye. The 476-seat Chamber Music Room is located under the Great Sculpture Hall. And, there’s the Studio which seats 210. In 1962 the Musee du Cinema was established in the Palais. Apart from its fine archive and exhibition of old cameras and lenses, it also screens classic films. There’s a range of music, expo, theatre and dance events taking place at the Palais des Beaux-Arts daily. Visit the BOZAR Center’s website at … http://www.bozar.be