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CURATOR'S CHOICE SM
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BOOK REVIEWS BY GLENN LONEY
Somewhere in the Northeast, a scene from the country's rural tradition: cowboy posing to mark a religious feast day. "Brazil: Territory, Land, Work, Culture" is no traditional history lesson.
Impressive & Colorful New Book Could Be Added To Your Library.
Did you know that Brazil was once an Empire?And that its nominal ruler, Emperor Dom Pedro II, was an honored guest in Philadelphia at the inauguration of America's Great Centennial Exhibition in 1876!
I found that out when I was looking at old prints of the American 19th Century. There was the Emperor himself, with his entourage, before the immense Corliss Steam-engine.
I already knew what had happened to Emperor Maximilian of Mexico. He was brutally slaughtered by a Revolutionary firing-squad. That drove his unfortunate widow, Empress Carlotta, mad.
What eventually became of Emperor Dom Pedro, to this day I do not know. I should have looked that up. I do know he wasn't an Absolute Monarch, but served instead a nation with an elected legislature.
My neglect may be some indication of a typically American disregard for the histories of other nations in the so-called New World—who also have very much the right to call themselves American as well.
But, if you are able to study the wonderful new book, Brazil: Territory, Land, Work, Culture, you won't get a traditional History Lesson either.
Only incidentally, as the text and the striking color photos explore the four aspects of Brazilian Life listed in the title—plus the Setting, or historical-geographical-ethnographic background—will you discover important facts about Brazil's Past.
SINGING IN THE WILDERNESS--A yellow bird on a twisted tree in the Brazilian scrublands of the Cerrado But this volume is intellectually really more about Brazil's Future. It is very clear—from the organization and effective prose—that the Past and Present are inspirationally understood in Brazil as Prologue.
A Prologue which requires much greater interest and understanding from Brazil's neighbors to the North. And in the European Community as well!
Brazil's Future—for an extremely diverse ethnic population, which continues to grow—is intimately linked to economic, political, social, and cultural developments abroad.
So it is of paramount importance that people of influence and aspiration elsewhere know more about this great nation which can also be a Great Partner in many undertakings.
Not to overlook the real need for accurate information for the general public in the United States and Canada. Are they getting the truth about Brazil? About its Peoples? Its Raw Materials? Its Industries? Its Economic Problems? Its Rainforests? Its Cultural Life?
When Portuguese Explorers discovered this great Wilderness, they—like Columbus—thought they had possibly found the Biblical Eden. The Noble Savage in all his Unspoiled Innocence.
SPREADING PATTERNED WINGS--A Brazilian Cormorant sniffs the wetlands air of the Panatal. But as soon as some Portuguese found themselves on Native dinner-menus, the "noble" epithet was dropped. And the emphasis rested upon "Savage."
Portuguese language and government was imposed. And the Roman Catholic religion was widely propagated. So an overlay of European Traditions partially transformed those areas which became important port-cities and agricultural centers.
But countless shiploads of African Slaves also began to transform aspects of the new nation's life.
For some naive Americans—who have been to Brazil—this historic mixture of peoples, cultures, aspirations, and energies may be best summed up in the color and excitement of Carnival in Rio.
This exciting new book has only a few photos of Carnival. The text in fact makes a point about the many misunderstandings of Brazil's culture which have arisen from a brief visit during Carnival.
The Carnival Spirit is much more complex than outsiders can comprehend. Just as the vastness and complexity of this amazing, challenging, and very diverse land seem more than even Brazilians can themselves comprehend.
Some of the powerful photos of Nature in this book make Brazil seem still a Romantic Wilderness. They make it appear a very Paradise, an Eden worthy of the dreams of Portugal's farsighted Prince Henry the Navigator.
But there are also extremely evocative images of simple faith—women and men of various backgrounds united in prayer and celebration. There are interesting shots of skilled craftsmen and women, plying ancient trades.
And there are photos of traditional farming and of the most modern mechanized agriculture. Not to overlook strong compositions of cogwheels & cranes, of Heavy Industry and Postmodernist Construction.
WORK ON THE WHEEL--Two Brazilian factory workers stand in the spokes of giant industrial cog-wheels. In some parts of Brazil, there may be only rude huts or shacks. In others, there are amazingly preserved monuments of Baroque Architecture.
But in the cities, there are great new buildings which rival some of Manhattan's finest. The book also illustrates old and new Temples of Culture—and some of the notable arts manifestations which occur there.
Bidu Sayao is not the only great performing-artist Brazil has given the world.
And what it has done for the World of Soccer needs no further emphasis.
Fervent fans brought together by soccer mass for a game. Soccer, as this book notes, began as an amateur sport for the Elite Families—for those with a Portuguese heritage and/or wealth & land.
Initially, no Black or mixed-race people could play. Or even watch.
Over time—as the way Soccer is played could not be kept a State Secret—it became apparent that the very best players traced their ancestry, not to Estoril, but to Senegal.
It could be said that both Soccer and Carnival—each in its own way—have been democratizing influences for Brazil's diverse populations. Both pictures and text in this book suggest that democracy is still a Work in Progress.
Even if Brazil: Territory, Land, Work, Culture had no text at all, only its breathtaking photos, it would be well worth owning.
STARRY SILVER SYMBOLS--A strong black Brazilian hand displays emblems of religion and mystery. If you are a Teacher, a School or College Administrator, or a Librarian—or even a friend of any or all of these—and you would like to make this valuable and most informative book on Brazil widely available in your reading-community, please contact the Brazilian Consulate-General in New York City.
There are only limited stocks remaining of this book, so requests should be made on official letterhead, with a statement regarding the potential readership: Students, Teachers, Seminars, Researchers, Editors, Opinion-Makers, Travel Writers, Discussion Groups, and/or the General Public.
Please address requests to one of the three options listed below:
· Consulate-General of Brazil in New York
Cultural Department/Attn: Mr. Marcelo Salum· 551 Fifth Avenue/S-210
New York, NY 10176· FAX: 212-370-3925.
· Email: book@consuladobrasilny.org
This excellent introduction to the World that is Brazil—and of Brazil to the World—was originally published solely for distribution through Brazilian Embassies and Consulates. Its purpose was—and is—to reach as wide as possible an audience of people interested in learning more about Brazil.
Especially teachers and "opinion-makers."
But this would also be a most helpful book for those who like to travel and who want to know more about our Great Big Neighbor in the Southern Hemisphere!
Travel-agents should also find it full of suggestions for their clients. Especially those adventurers who are always looking for new sights and scenes, new mountains to climb, new worlds to conquer—at least visually.
Although I've been invited by various Latin American cultural-agencies to festivals and arts-events in Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama, I've never had the good fortune to visit Brazil.
This marvelous book makes me want to pack my Mac Powerbook laptop, Sony tape-recorder, and Nikon cameras for a cultural exploration of Brazil.
BURRO WITH A BARREL--A bucket of fresh Brazilian lake water goes down the funnel for later libations. One glance at the photos in the book, however, make it clear that it would take many Brazilian Journeys to survey this vast land and its many sub-cultures.
From the book, the immense land-mass that is Brazil seems a World in Itself—a Continent within a Continent!
Even those who are confirmed stay-at-homes could have a wonderful trip to Brazil just from looking at the magnificent photos in this book. You could sail along the Amazon and Negro Rivers without leaving your armchair!
Unfortunately, Brazil: Territory, Land, Work, Culture was not published for public sale.
Even if you find a copy at your University, School, or Public Library, you cannot digest this wealth of information and pictorial splendor in one sitting.
But, if this report suggests it's a book you would like to have for your own home-library, or for sharing with friends—who may purposely forget to return it—please let Mr. Marcelo Salum, of the Consulate's Cultural Department, know of your interest.
His Excellency Flávio Miragaia Perri, Ambassador & Consul-General of Brazil in New York, has just notified me that "a reasonable demand would trigger a new printing."
Not only will this book be a valued addition to your own library—or coffee-table—but it will make a great gift for those friends who seem to "have everything." They surely don't yet "have" Brazil in the way this pictorial & textual report will make possible!
From the didactic theater of the Jesuits to today's shows, there are many different theatrical languages rooted in Brazil's cultural values. A wide exposure of this volume should also rapidly increase the numbers of North Americans who will book flights to Rio, outings to Brazilia, and boat-trips up the Amazon.
Not to overlook that fantastic Neo-Baroque Opera-House featured in Werner Herzog's film of Brazil in an earlier time. The one in which they dragged that Steamboat overland?
Or you could see what's happening to the Tropical Rainforest first-hand, if you are a Preservationist. Perhaps reports you've read don't tell the entire story? [Loney]
Copyright © Glenn Loney 1999. No re-publication or broadcast use without proper credit of authorship. Suggested credit line: "Glenn Loney, Curator's Choice." Reproduction rights please contact: jslaff@nymuseums.com.
