Encruzilhadas: we believe in crossroads – Brazil at PQ23

ABSTRACT

This article delves into the research and creative process involved in shaping Brazil's representation at the Exhibition of Countries and Regions during the 15th Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space. This collective effort aimed to integrate artists and researchers from across Brazil, resonating with the concept of crossroads, where differences converge and coexist. The curatorial team, attuned to the richness and plurality of Brazilian sonic landscapes, endeavoured to expand representativeness and diversity of perspectives and foster meaningful exchanges. The process aimed to address systemic and historical invisibilities, daring cross-cutting perspectives and dynamics, thus showcasing the wisdom embedded in the diverse manifestations of Brazilian identity. Exploring the creative process for a sound installation and seven sound offerings, alongside the site-specific relationship with the venue, exhibition design, and audience reception, the article elucidates the connections with Brazilian and Latin American authors and thoughts.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Arianne Vitale, Elaine Nascimento, Gregory Slivar, Heloisa Lyra Bulcão, Karina Machado, Marieta Spada, Rafael Bicudo, Renato Bolelli Rebouças, and Sergio Lessa.

2 Among the issues experienced, we were in an economic and moral crisis that promoted, among countless actions, the closure of the Ministry of Culture.

3 Orishas are deities worshiped by African people and incorporated by many Brazilian and Cuban religions of African origin, with several different understandings of the subject.

4 It's difficult to translate ‘ginga’, a movement of invitation, defence, dissimulation and attention, part of the capoeira practice. Swing in the USA is associated with jazz, and represents this freedom within the sound. In Brazilian culture it brings another aspect, an almost ritualistic place, outside of this space-time.

5 In Western music, the off-beat constitutes the less emphasised segment of the rhythm; when accentuated, it has the potential to engender a syncopated or unexpected sensation within the musical composition.

6 teiabr is a collective and collaborative platform, part of Grafias da Cena Brasil association, created to bring together and allow greater communication and action between Brazilian artists and technicians, workers, thinkers and teachers of scene design and backstage, in the different scenic instances. One of its main actions is to carry out a national mapping of workers in the performing arts (https://teiabr.com.br/).

7 Available on the project website: www.pqbrasil.org.br

8 The process was conducted by Grafias da Cena Brasil – Brazilian Professional Association of the Performance Spatialities, Visualities and Sounds – which currently represents PQ Brazil and is also an International Organisation of Scenographers Theatre Architects and Technicians centre.

9 All the images were provided by the Grafias da Cena Brasil association. All the photographers were hired by the association to record the event.

10 Candomble (Afro-diasporic religion) rituals take place in sacred sites called terreiros, originally open-air spaces.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Arianne Vitale Cardoso

Arianne Vitale Cardoso is an artist, scene architect, professor, and researcher, who works in different areas of performing and visual arts, focusing on transdisciplinarity.

Heloisa Lyra Bulcão

Heloisa Lyra Bulcão is an artist and writer who works across theatre, dance, cinema, and exhibitions in Brazil and internationally.

Gregory Slivar

Gregory Slivar is an artist who works in musical composition, musical direction in theatre performances, multimedia, performance, technology applied to music, film scores, and creative luthiers. His main activity is the development of soundtracks played live in theatre performances.

Renato Bolelli Rebouças

Renato Bolelli Rebouças is an award winning artist who works in theatre, performance, visual arts, dance, opera, exhibitions, and events in partnership with artists and groups from different disciplines in Brazil and the United Kingdom.