What Brazil can teach Britain about art
24 July, 2010Interesting article in The Guardian yesterday by Jude Kelly (one of the organisers of Festival Brazil that’s been happening at the Southbank Centre this summer) looking at how they have managed to deal with creating enthusiasm for art better than we have done in Britain. They have gone for the unbelievable notion of actually creating art projects wherever there are people, meaning that thousands of people without any previous concept of art now had access. Here is an excerpt:
In 2003, the Brazilian government created an initiative called Points of Culture: thousands of community and arts projects of all sizes and types that would work to strengthen people’s involvement in the life of their neighbourhoods and the larger society. The idea came from the legendary musician Gilberto Gil who had agreed to become culture minister for a five-year period under President Lula. The very act of having artists in the centre of government sent a signal of serious intent. Throughout his ministry poets, playwrights and philosophers worked in the executive, bringing a new language of aspiration and inventiveness to that of government.
You can read the full article here.
And here are a couple of images of Project Morrinho, which is currently a part of the festival at Southbank. More information can also be found in the Guardian article (linked above):
Pictures by Visionet
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