Rediscovering Journeys: New Perspectives on Brazil (Research - Work in Progress)

This research investigates Brazil's history and territorial formation through contemporary artists’ works, examining how they have shaped the visual culture and identity of this vast and multifaceted country. "Rediscovering Journeys: New Perspectives on Brazil" examines the work of contemporary artists who departed from historical journeys—including expeditions, missions, and routes—through Brazilian territory, confronting the past and offering new perspectives on the elaboration of understandings of Brazilian histories, visual culture, and identity. By proposing this framework, this project aims to problematize the contexts of these journeys, the links between the places they crossed, and the current borders of Brazil, and to examine how these artworks address questions of culture and identity. This project also proposes rescuing forgotten histories and examining their potential impact on accepted and replicated narratives.

The relationship between history, territory, and journeys is intrinsic to Brazil's genealogy. Since 1500, when Brazil was claimed to be discovered by Portuguese explorers, until the present day, multiple journeys have surveyed the country in search of resources and information. These journeys had different goals, including exploration, conquest, colonization, scientific discovery, and territorial expansion. Although the most well-known trips were organized by foreigners in colonial times often with the company of European artists, others were elaborated by locals–including government officials, scientists, and settlers–seeking new discoveries and integration in a country of continental dimensions. All these journeys left traces on the territory as they opened pathways, established commercial routes, cleared the way for infrastructure, and helped establish settlements. Through the common company of artists, who registered the landscapes, people, and costumes, they also formed images of Brazil. These journeys shaped Brazil both physically and visually, transforming its territory and crafting our imaginary about this country.

This project is interested in the works of artists who took the journeys others have previously taken to and within Brazil. This project aims to investigate the relationship between territory, culture, and identity, and to create a panorama of traces left on the ground, in memory, and in the understanding of this country through a collection of contemporary voices from Brazil and abroad. The elaboration of the project combines historical and archival research, route tracing, mapping, conversations, and writings, with the support of other disciplines such as history, architecture, geography, and social sciences.