Praça XV Galerie SEUL Maison de l'Amérique Latine BRUSSELS - BELGIUM April 2001 XIX - XX - XXI A clash of centuries

"Praça XV" Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The square owes its name to the republican coup d'état which toppled the Emperor, Dom Pedro II, on 15 November 1889. It was also here that on 7 March 1808 the royal family, followed by some 15 000 people of the Portuguese court, had landed after fleeing Lisbon and the advancing Napoleonic army. The recently restored square, which is now reserved for pedestrians, is situated on the seafront and is one of the few lively animated areas of central Rio at the weekend. On one side, with its mixture of dealers and collectors, is the art and antiques market offering  many unique but expensive pieces. On the other side is the flea market with its more modest public in search of a bargain at one of the many stalls. The two sides are separated only by an imaginary corridor formed by people arriving off the ferries from the other side of the bay. Some years ago, the city of Rio de Janeiro saw the inauguration of an urban expressway known as the "Red Line" intended to ease communications between the international airport and the south side of the city. For some people this line starts just a few steps from the "Praça XV" and this is where the old meets the new and where the present meets the future. The purpose of this exhibition is to show a collective installation by 22 contemporary Brazilian artists living in various countries of the European Union. "Saudade", the first exhibition by the group, was held a year ago on the topic of nostalgia and to mark 500 years since the discovery of Brazil. The challenge facing the group on this occasion has been to work not on the basis of a theme but by employing formats and dimensions other than they normally use. By drawing their inspiration from the many symbols and contrasts to be found on the Praça XV, these Brazilian artists show us their enormous capacity for synergy and synthesis. Opening: Thursday, 19 April 2001 at 7 p.m. Exhibitions dates: Friday 20 April to Friday 4 May Galerie Seul - Maison de l'Amérique Latine 14, rue Berckmans 1060 Brussels Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Wednesdays

Concept - Alex VALLE Adviser -Luis Antônio MUNOZ VALENZUELA Assisted by - Laurence HAUZEUR                          Annick SCAILLET Graphics - Laurent ACHEDJIAN Translation - Teresa DELGADO                         Michael HALES                         Philippe HAUTEKIET With the generous support of : Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap

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ARTISTS : LAURENT ACHEDJIAN DANIELE ANCIAUX ISABEL BARAONA MIRIS BATISTA ELAINE CORSI AFRANIO FONSECA RICARDO FONTES CLAUDIO GOULART SOLANGE GUSMAO HENRIQUE LEMES JACQUELINE M.SOUZA ADRIANA P. BANDEL TERESA POESTER FLAVIO PONS TITA DO REGO SILVA MARLENE RODRIGUES MARISTELA SALVATORI ST. CLAIR THALES TORRES ALEX VALLE S. VALMIRO DIO VIANA