"CONTRASTES"
"Contrastes", an exhibition by JP Matumoto conceived by educator and producer Lina Sena (Oficina de Artes Virtual), celebrates part of the culture of Pará by portraying traditional aspects and important moments of Belém from the perspective of a São Paulo artist, focusing on the Círio de Nazaré, the largest religious event in Brazil and a UNESCO intangible heritage site that brings together millions of people in devotion to Our Lady of Nazareth.
The artist offers a vision of Belém through the eyes of someone who grew up and lived his entire life in the city of São Paulo. The often melancholic themes addressed in his works, as well as the shades of gray created by graphite on paper, contrast with the diverse color palette of a demonstration like the Círio de Nazaré. The contrast is not limited to colors, since the religious demonstration is also known for the union of differences and marked by the sacred and the profane.
Artworks
PARIS N'AMÉRICA
The traditional Paris N'América store, located at 132 Santo Antônio Street, was inspired by the typology of large Parisian art nouveau stores - an artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century in Belgium. The idea of bringing Paris to Belém do Pará is almost literal, as the furniture, crockery, tiles and even the paving stones were brought from the French city. The work portrays the irregularities and at the same time elegance of the sidewalk of the commercial palace.
PROCISSÃO FLUVIAL DO CÍRIO DE NAZARÉ
The river pilgrimage travels along the waters of Guajará Bay to Pedro Teixeira Square. There are hundreds of vessels of all types, including the Brazilian Navy, which carries the Nazinha. Masses continue to take place during this procession inside the vessels.
PROCISSÃO TERRESTRE DO CÍRIO DE NAZARÉ
On the second Sunday of October, more than two million people from all over the world go to Belém to participate in the traditional religious festival of the Amazon - and one of the largest in the world. The procession is 3.6 km long, starting from the cathedral in Cidade Velha and ending at the Santuário de Nazaré Square. The first procession left on the afternoon of September 8, 1793. The pilgrimage takes place by various means, passing through well-known points of the city of Belém, with the land procession being especially impressive due to the unity of the millions of people who strive to get as close as possible to Nazinha, as Our Lady of Nazareth is called. The black and white portrait conveys a bit of the urban vision of the event and humanizes the religious figure, who, unlike what is usually seen, is treated as a mother and protector of all during the Círio.
PROMESSA
The angels of the pilgrimage represent the miracles that happen in the lives of many believers who seek to fulfill their promise to the patron saint of Pará. It is one of the ways to show gratitude to Nazinha for their children having survived some difficulty during pregnancy or childhood.
The practice comes from religious festivals in Portugal in the 17th and 18th centuries. In Pará, it began in the second half of the 19th century, since the first Círio in 1793.
Opening
The exhibition was opened and inaugurated at the Círio SP event, which celebrated the Círio de Nazaré and the culture of Pará with music, dance and typical cuisine of the state, as well as other performances. Círio SP took place in downtown São Paulo, on one of the city's best-known streets: Arouche Street.
Bring the "Contrastes" exhibition to your city
The "Contrasts" exhibition is an invitation to explore the essence of one of Brazil's most fascinating cultural heritages, bringing the strength, beauty and uniqueness of the north of the country closer to its audience. Each piece carries with it not only an artistic perspective, but also a living piece of the Amazonian identity. By bringing our exhibition to your city, you offer a unique opportunity for people to connect with Brazil's cultural richness in a deep and meaningful way.
