Collection: Pindorama (My dear Brazil)
Piece titles: Bandeirinhas (little flags) / Balão (ballon)
I am pleased to share that this project comprises two paintings accompanied by an animation seamlessly transitioning between them. These art pieces emerged during a wonderfully extended vacation in Brazil, where I had the privilege of conducting in-depth studies inspired by the works of esteemed Brazilian artists, with Alfredo Volpi being the first to be introduced.
The collection is affectionately named Pindorama, honoring the indigenous people’s initial term for our beloved Brazil. According to the rich literary tradition of our indigenist romanticism, Pindorama is said to signify the “Land of the Palm Trees.”
To enhance the artistic experience, the soundtrack chosen for this project is the captivating “Asa Branca” by the masterful Luiz Gonzaga.
Alfredo Volpi, a prominent Brazilian artist, gained renown for his distinctive style characterized by vibrant and geometric depictions of small flags. Born in Italy in 1896 and later settling in Brazil, Volpi became a leading figure in the Brazilian art scene during the 20th century.
Volpi’s “little flags” paintings, affectionately referred to as “bandeirinhas,” are distinguished by their elegant simplicity and vibrant color palette. Influenced by the traditional celebrations and festivals in Brazil, Volpi’s flags beautifully express a profound sense of national identity and cultural pride. Building upon this inspiration, I have further extended my studies to include the enchanting theme of “balloons,” another integral element present in Junina’s parties, complementing the essence of the little flags.
These paintings, along with the entire series of studies, draw inspiration from the rich tapestry of Brazilian culture. In showcasing these artworks, I made a deliberate choice to enhance the exhibition with a touch of the authentic Brazilian experience. The accompanying video provides a brief glimpse of “Horto,” a natural park nestled within the Atlantic Forest reserve in the southeast of Brazil (my hometown), allowing viewers to feel a little of the beauty of this place.
In my personal exploration of Volpi’s work, I observed that he initially employed a foundation of horizontal and vertical lines to construct his pieces. As his artistic journey progressed, diagonal lines were introduced, imparting a heightened sense of dynamism to the compositions. Inspired by this evolution, I resolved to extend the approach, not merely relying on expanding the work based on diagonals, but also incorporating animation into the paintings.
The delightful bird sounds playing in the background have been authentically captured (although I know, it sounds almost fake), offering listeners the opportunity to experience a diverse array of species from the southwest region of Brazil.
The “balloon” is pretty common in the “festa junina”, or June Festival. It is a Catholic tradition, despite its religious origins, the emphasis of Festa Junina is on creating a large social gathering of dancing, drinking, and eating.
These parties have a special place in my heart 🙂