The Modern Art Week of 1922 was pivotal in Brazil's cultural and artistic history.
The event brought together artists, writers, and intellectuals who were determined to break away from traditional aesthetic and cultural norms.
In this article, we will delve into this important week, examining the key artists and the work they showcased.
Additionally, we will explore the reactions of both critics and the public. Finally, we will analyze the lasting impact that this movement has had on Brazilian culture.
What was the Week of Modern Art of 1922?
The Week of Modern Art of 1922 was a revolutionary event in Brazil's cultural and artistic history. It occurred at the City Theater in São Paulo from February 13th to 18th.
The event brought together several artists, spanning the fields of dance, music, poetry, painting, sculpture, and lectures, all united by a common goal: to showcase a bold new vision of art rooted in the innovative aesthetics of the European avant-gardes.
These visionary artists were driven by a desire for social and artistic renewal in Brazil, and this ambition was on full display during the Week of 22.
The event shocked parts of the population and helped to catalyze a shift in the artistic landscape, with a decisive break from academic art and a renewed focus on a distinctly “Brazilian” style.
The Week of Modern Art helped to give rise to the Modernist movement in Brazil, forever changing the course of artistic expression in the country.
While the Week of 1922 is widely regarded as a seminal moment in Brazilian art history, it is worth noting that it was not the birth of Modernism in Brazil.
Before the event, modernists like Anita Malfatti, whose expressionist paintings were first exhibited in 1917, and Manuel Bandeira, whose book “Carnival” was published in 1919, were already prominent in Brazil.
Nonetheless, the Week of Modern Art played a crucial role in consolidating the Modernist movement in Brazil and inspiring the artists who would follow in its wake.
This event remains a true testament to the enduring power of art to effect meaningful change in society.
The historical context that led to the Week of Modern Art
The 1920s were a time of major change in the country, with urban growth and industrialization bringing significant shifts to Brazilian society.
At the time, Brazil was rapidly modernizing and being influenced by European culture.
This cultural movement aimed at breaking away from the traditional artistic standards of Brazil, which were still rooted in 19th-century aesthetic models like Parnassianism.
And that's where the Week of Modern Art comes in — an event that marked a turning point in Brazilian culture and history.
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The European influence on Brazilian art
The influence of European culture on Brazilian art was already noticeable since the 19th century, but it gained even greater momentum in the 1920s.
Brazilian artists traveled to Europe seeking inspiration and artistic education, and upon their return, they introduced the latest trends in art and design to Brazil.
As a result of this cultural exchange, a group of Brazilian artists emerged, distinguished by their modernist works, which were influenced by European artistic movements such as Cubism, Futurism, and Expressionism.
The Week of Modern Art reflected this period of intense European influence on Brazilian art. It marked the introduction of a new aesthetic in Brazil, which broke away from the country's academic tradition.
The critique of traditional Brazilian art
The artists of the modernist movement believed that the art of Brazil needed to be renewed and brought up to date with the modernity of the country, which meant breaking away from the aesthetic models of the 19th century.
This critique extended not only to painting, but also to literature and music, and aimed at breaking with the artistic tradition that still prevailed in Brazil.
The Brazilian modernists rejected the academic aesthetic and proposed a new visual language that valued experimentation and the individual expression of artists.
The Week of Modern Art became a pivotal moment in this critique of traditional Brazilian art, and its goal was to establish a new aesthetic that broke with old standards and paved the way for modern art in the country.
Main Artists of the Modern Art Week of 1922
The Week of Modern Art was organized by a group of intellectuals who sought to renew Brazilian art and culture.
Among the main artists who participated in the Week of Modern Art, we can mention:
Anita Malatti: Presented a series of paintings that caused a great impact at the time for departing from traditional aesthetic standards and presenting influences of European Expressionism.
By Cavalcanti: Di presented a series of paintings with a social theme, depicting Brazil's everyday life and popular traditions. I also created the poster for the Week of 1922.
Victor Brecheret: Brecheret presented sculptures that broke with the conventions of academic art.
The artists who participated in the Week of Modern Art were influenced by various European art movements, such as expressionism, futurism, and cubism. Moreover, they sought to value Brazilian culture and art by incorporating elements from popular culture and nature into their works.
Therefore, the Week of Modern Art was a landmark in the history of Brazilian art, not only because it represented a rupture with traditional art but also because it valued the culture and identity of the country.
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What happened during the Week of Modern Art?
The Week of Modern Art took place in São Paulo from February 11th to 18th, 1922, and was divided into three nights, each with different presentations and exhibitions.
The Week of Modern Art was a landmark in Brazilian art history, bringing to the country the main trends and artistic movements that were in vogue in Europe and the United States.
In addition, it was an opportunity for Brazilian artists to present their work and break away from the traditional and conservative art that prevailed in the country.
First Night
On the first night, February 11th, an opening conference was held with the presence of Graça Aranha, who delivered the famous speech “The Aesthetic Emotion in Modern Art.”
Shortly after, writer Mário de Andrade presented a conference on modern poetry.
The night also featured the play “The Man and the Horse” by author Oswald de Andrade and a musical performance by pianist Guiomar Novaes.
2nd Night
On February 13th, the focus was on literature and music, with presentations of modern poems, readings of excerpts from modern authors' novels, and a musical performance featuring works by composers such as Villa-Lobos and Ernesto Nazareth.
Ronald de Carvalho's recited poems stood out and became iconic in Brazilian literature history.
3rd Night
Finally, on the third and last night, on February 18th, there were exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, and drawings by modernist artists such as Anita Malatti and Di Cavalcanti.
Musical concerts featuring works by modern composers were also presented. The famous group “Os 13", led by Mário de Andrade, performed Brazilian folk songs adapted with modern elements this night.
Repercussions, developments, and consequences
The 1922 Week of Modern Art had a huge impact on Brazilian society and culture and is considered a milestone in Brazilian art and culture history.
The event sparked criticism, controversy, and heated debates among both artists and the general public.
It challenged traditional artistic styles and opened up new avenues of expression, paving the way for a new era in Brazilian art. It marked a turning point in the country's cultural landscape, and its influence can still be felt in Brazilian art and culture today.
The impact on Brazilian society and culture
The Week of Modern Art represented a break from traditional Brazilian art. It opened doors to new styles and artistic trends and was an important moment to affirm Brazilian cultural identity.
Before the Week of Modern Art, Brazilian art was still very much tied to European models and standards, especially the French ones.
In this sense, the Week of Modern Art was a movement that sought to renew Brazilian art, creating a unique and original identity that could be expressed in its own way.
The week was also important to affirm a sense of patriotism. The event was held at the Municipal Theater of São Paulo, one of the city's main cultural institutions, and greatly impacted the press and Brazilian society as a whole.
Although it was the target of many criticisms and ridicule, the Week of Modern Art was an important milestone in affirming Brazilian cultural identity.
Critics and Public Reaction
The reaction of critics and the general public towards the Week of Modern Art was highly controversial.
Many criticized the event as a threat to traditional Brazilian art, while others applauded it as a movement of artistic renewal and freedom.
The press reaction was especially harsh, with renowned critics such as Monteiro Lobato and Paulo Prado ridiculing the artists and works presented at the event.
The criticisms were largely motivated by the fact that the Week of Modern Art presented an art completely different from what the public was used to seeing, which generated distrust and resistance.
The Week's Legacy
Following the Week of Modern Art, Brazilian art underwent a process of renewal and openness to new styles and trends and a strong impulse in the search for its own identity.
The Week of Modern Art also impacted literature, music, theater, and other areas of Brazilian culture.
Among the main legacies of the Week of Modern Art are the openness to new artistic trends and styles, the affirmation of Brazilian cultural identity, and the renewal of Brazilian art and culture in general.
The Week of Modern Art was a moment of rupture with the past and affirmation of Brazilian cultural identity, leaving a legacy that extends to this day.
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A brief summary of Brazilian Modern Art
Modernism in Brazil was an artistic and cultural movement that emerged in the 1920s, influenced by the changes and transformations that were occurring in the world at the time.
This movement was marked by a rupture with traditional art and the search for a national identity, with the expression of unique characteristics of Brazil in its social, cultural, and artistic aspects.
Some famous artists who contributed to the modernist movement in Brazil were Tarsila do Amaral, Oswald de Andrade, Mário de Andrade, Anita Malfatti, Di Cavalcanti, among others.
Modernism in Brazil can be divided into three phases:
First (1922-1930)
The “heroic phase,” was marked by the Week of Modern Art in 1922. In this phase, artists sought to break with traditional aesthetics and introduce new European artistic trends, such as futurism, expressionism, and cubism.
Second (1930-1945)
The “consolidation phase” began with the government of Getúlio Vargas in 1930. In this phase, Brazilian modernism began to gain more space and visibility, especially in the visual arts, literature, and architecture.
The works of this phase strongly influence the country's political and social context, such as the fight for democratization and the defense of national identity.
Third (1945-1960)
The “post-modernism” began after World War II, with the renewal and expansion of the artistic and cultural horizons of the country.
During this phase, modernism in Brazil started to coexist with emerging artistic movements like concrete art and neo-concretism and to delve into new prospects of language and expression while still focusing on Brazilian cultural identity.
Final Thoughts
Undoubtedly, the Week of Modern Art of 1922 was a milestone in the history of Brazilian art, and its legacy and repercussions continue until today.
It is important to remember the idea that the event brought of breaking with the standards of the time and, above all, constructing pure Brazilian art.
In addition, the Week formalized the Brazilian modernist movement, which brought several artists and opened up space for innovations and new visions about art and the world.
The impact of the modernist movement in Brazil is undeniable, and it has contributed significantly to the development and appreciation of Brazilian culture and identity.
