PROJECT: Revealing Rio Grande do Sul to Europe
project pitch to find possible grants to make it happen
Intro: I’m from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, an area devastated by deadly floods in May. The disaster, exacerbated by political corruption and mismanagement, is now integral to my art. Witnessing loved ones in distress and the destruction of familiar places deeply affected me. Though my art has traditionally been fine art with acrylic and oil, I also have skills in photography and documentary making. This tragedy, impacting not just my family but friends and acquaintances, is now a crucial part of my artistic narrative.
Objective: To illuminate the culture and recent hardships of South Brazil for a European audience unfamiliar with the region and its struggles.
How: I will use my diverse creative skills to develop this project. Initially, I’ll create a short documentary featuring stories from people in Porto Alegre affected by the disaster, alongside an exploration of Rio Grande do Sul's culture and history. This historical perspective is vital, as those most affected by the floods are often communities historically marginalized and forced into vulnerable areas.
Next, I’ll produce a collection of fine art paintings inspired by photographs and experiences from making the documentary. One painting will feature an artistic film projected onto it, making it interactive and dynamic. Additionally, I’ll explore using clay and natural materials from Rio Grande do Sul to create the frames and a few of the elements of the paintings. These materials will underscore the connection to the land and its people, how important it was for them and their identity, conveying too that despite geographical distance between europeans and south americans, our concept of humanity is shared or similar.
To Whom: Through my experience in Europe, I’ve noticed a significant lack of knowledge about South America, particularly Brazil. Few people I’ve encountered knew about the recent disaster in Rio Grande do Sul, despite its magnitude. In contrast, South Americans are generally well-informed about Europe. My goal is to reintroduce South America, specifically the South of Brazil, to European audiences. This will be achieved through pop-up exhibitions of the work produced. I will firstly exhibit in London and online, with possibility to exhibit in other places in Europe. By increasing awareness, I hope to foster understanding and empathy, highlighting the importance of knowing about diverse global realities and how this can be good in a long term perspective of society.
References for the idea of this project: European Perception and the Role of Violence: In his book "Violence," Slavoj Žižek discusses different forms of violence: subjective, objective, and symbolic. Subjective violence is the visible physical acts we commonly recognize, while objective violence encompasses systemic issues like economic inequality and political repression. Symbolic violence operates through language and ideology, maintaining power dynamics and social hierarchies. Many Europeans are unaware of the detailed history and contemporary issues in regions like Rio Grande do Sul. This ignorance can perpetuate symbolic violence by overlooking the systemic and historical contexts that shape current realities and therefore contributing for countries to be more conservative, therefore without good policies for immigrants and much more.
Outcomes: By employing artistic and documentary methods, this project aims to foster a deeper understanding and empathy among viewers. The goal is to encourage audiences to look beyond the visible aspects of the disaster - but also informing them about it - and recognize the enduring impact of systemic and symbolic violence in shaping the present realities of places like Rio Grande do Sul. Through this, I hope to bridge cultural gaps and promote a more informed and compassionate global perspective.
