with Alexandre Araujo Bispo
Dates: March 27th, April 03rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and May 08th
Wednesdays
Hour: 19h to 21h
Duration: 6 meetings
Audience: general interested parties
Investment: R $ 480,00
Online course
Live, via video conferencing platform
Recorded classes available for a limited time only
Course includes certificate at the end
This course proposes an in-depth exploration of Afro-Brazilian art, highlighting its intrinsic connection with the African religious and aesthetic universe. Without following a chronological order, classes cover topics such as memory, body, social rites, death, food and religious intolerance.
With the definition of Marta H. Leuba Salum as a basis, which understands this form of expression as any plastic and visual manifestation that rescues African aesthetics and religiosity, combined with the sociocultural scenarios of black people in Brazil, the course offers a non-exhaustive overview of the themes, authors and problems linked to the notion of sacred Afro-Brazilian.
The methodology includes expository classes with the presentation of artistic images, combined with social and biographical information about the artists, providing an in-depth understanding of this unique artistic expression.
Agenda
Class 1 – Black people as a theme
This class highlights images of black people and groups in Brazil since the 17th century, exploring representations of women, children, religious festivals and ritual objects. The analysis of this iconographic repertoire aims to provide a crucial visual understanding for interpreting contemporary works.
Class 2 – Death, dead and dying
Exploring works that dialogue with the universe of Afro-Brazilian religions, this class highlights the artist Arthur Leandro and his peculiar death announcement. The focus includes notions such as axexê, mukondo, egun, vumbi, among others, and examines how contemporary artists respond critically to themes such as massacres, state violence and the right to a funeral.
Class 3 – Fine Black Arts
Establishing a distinction between the symbolic efficacy of art, used in rituals to alter fates or heal, and the contemplative aspect of Western tradition, this class displays images of ritual works and contemporary artistic practices. The central question is whether the rite in contemporary art has healing power.
Class 4 – Black mothers: an expression of the sacred
Exploring the central figure of the black mother throughout Brazilian history, this class addresses the cult of the black mother in São Paulo, which emerged in the Old Republic. It also highlights the presence of Mãe Preta in the photography of Vincenzo Pastore and in the work of contemporary artists such as Rosana Paulino, Renata Felinto, Sidney Amaral, among others.
Class 5 – Sculptures and sculptors: a long tradition
Focusing on the importance of black sculpture in rites of passage, altars and religious settlements, this class highlights sculptors such as Rubem Valentim, Mestre Didi, Emanoel Araújo, Carybé, among others, who find inspiration in the universe of Candomblé.
Class 6 – Art and religion: Protestant inspirations
Exploring the intersection between Afro-Brazilian sacred repertoires and influences from Protestant Christianity, this class highlights contemporary artists such as Ventura Profana, Maxwell Alexandre and Priscila Rezende, analyzing how their works move between the artistic and religious domains, updating discussions about Afro-Brazilian sacred Brazilian over time.
Alexandre Araujo Bispo
Alexandre Araujo Bispo holds a doctorate and master's degree in Social Anthropology from USP (University of São Paulo). He is currently undertaking postdoctoral research at the School of Fine Arts of UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), where he is studying the Macumba series, a collection of works in drawing, woodcut, engraving, and metal engraving produced between 1950 and 1980 by Lívio Abramo (1903-1992). An independent curator, critic, and professor, he has curated exhibitions including: Azul, Galeria Luís Maluf; Rotas SP Arte and SP Arte 2025, Galeria Janaína Torres; Margens de 22: presenças populares – Sesc São Paulo; and Medo, Fascínio e Repressão na Missão de Pesquisas Folclóricas 1938 CCSP. He is co-author of, among others, the books: What do we do when we find an image? (2025); Women in Art Education in Brazil (2023) and South American cities as cultural arenas (2019).
MAM friend has 20% discount. Be part!
Students, teachers and retirees have a 10% discount
Doubts:
cursos@mam.org.br
WhatsApp: 11 99774 3987
Live online course via video conferencing platform. Recorded classes available only to registered participants and for a specified period of time.
By participating in this activity/event, you authorize, free of charge and definitively, MAM – Museu de Arte Moderna de São Paulo, to use your image, voice, biographical data and characteristic signs, captured in video, audio, photography and prints, for the purposes of recording, disseminating and promoting the Museum's activities, in any means, vehicles, supports, media, methods and technologies, tangible or intangible. If you do not want your image to be published, please inform MAM (cursos@mam.org.br). In some courses, classes that take place on the Zoom platform may be recorded and made available only to participants in those respective classes with an expiration date. The content of the recording is protected by copyright and access is permitted solely for study purposes and for the exclusive use of the participant, making it impossible to disclose or share with third parties.
credits
Oxumaré, from the Riscos series, by Alexandre Alexandrino.
