CLIL Art
D
The birth of modern art
in Brazil
1922 Brazil is celebrating 100 years of independence and now
its people want to show their own unique culture to the
world. Brazilian art still has links to Portugal and the rest of
Europe, but Brazilian artists are now creating their own styles.
They want to show that their ideas are original and new. A group
of artists from São Paulo are organizing a week-long celebration
of Brazilian art, the Semana de Arte Moderna, in São Paolo’s
Municipal Theater. From sculpture to poetry, and painting to
song, Brazilian artists, writers, and musicians are showcasing
their amazing work. They include painters like Di Cavalcanti and
Tarsila do Amaral, and the poet Mário de Andrade.
The public come and many people find the work exciting, but
not all Brazilians like it. For some, it is too modern, too strange.
They feel confused and offended by the artists’ work. But this is
the true beginning of modern art in Brazil.
Carnaval em Madureira
by Tarsila do Amaral
1951 The influence of the 1922 exhibition slowly changes
things in the art world in Brazil. People are starting to
de
understand and enjoy the new types of art. Important new art
ra
nd
galleries are opening in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, and Brazil
eA
is having another big celebration—the São Paulo Biennial. This
large modern art exhibition soon becomes one of the most od
M á ri
important art shows in South America.
2025 From that first exhibition in 1951, the São Paulo Biennial
takes place every two years and showcases art from
all over Brazil and beyond. Today, Brazil’s modern art scene
Check it out
is world-famous and includes work from all the fascinating Find these words and check their meanings.
cultures from this very special and colorful country. celebrating
unique links municipal
showcasing offended fascinating
1 021 Read and listen to the article. Why is 1922 an important year 4 Find out more information online
in Brazil? about the São Paulo Biennial.
Write and record a short radio
2 Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?
advertisement for the next
Brazil’s art in 1922 is very similar to the art in Europe. F São Paulo Biennial. Use the
1 The Semana de Arte Moderna (week of modern art) is only for questions to help you. Share your
paintings. advertisement with the class.
2 Everyone loves the new art in the exhibition. • When is the next São Paulo
3 Art galleries open in two cities in the 1950s. Biennial?
4 The São Paulo Biennial now happens every two years. • Which artists are in it?
5 Today, Brazil has a strong and interesting modern art scene. • Where are the artists from?
• What type of art do they make?
3 Answer the questions.
• What adjectives can you use to
In what year does Brazil become independent from Portugal? 1822
describe the art?
1 Find four adjectives to describe Brazilian art in 1922.
2 Which three famous Brazilian artists and writers are at the first
exhibition in São Paulo?
3 Why do some people not like the new art at the exhibition?
4 Where are a lot of new art galleries opening in 1951?
5 What can you see in the São Paulo Biennial today?
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