Art and Architecture of Latin America

To begin addressing this assignment first I must define what art is throughout the weeks I have been enrolled in “Art and Architecture of Latin America.” To me what I have come to interpret is that art doesn’t necessarily have to involve paper, pencil or paint. Art is something that receives public reaction or that it can relate to someone. For example, take the drawings of Diego Rivera. One of his most famous works named “History of Mexico from the Conquest to the Future” can be found in Fresco, National Palace, Mexico City relates to his people's lives. Why you may ask? Well, if you look closely to his drawings it shows the history of Mexico since the conquest of the Spaniards to the revolutions that emerged throughout Spaniard rule up until the Independence of Mexico. Now let’s take an example that doesn’t involve paper, pencil or paint. This man built his art by only using metal and his hands to demonstrate the connection between people since the audience can touch his art.

History is also very important when we talk about art because it shows that throughout time, art has been evolving as well. Picture it like a tree log family the two primary ancestors at the bottom and towards the top the growth of that family. Since art has been evolving throughout time that means we can relate modern art or festivals to artworks made centuries ago. Brazil in fact just had the first world's indigenous games since the FIFA World Cup in June 12, 2014. A multisport event with about 2,000 athletes from 30 different countries came to compete in Palmas from the 23rd of October to the 1st of November. This multi sport games were a variety of different games such as tug-of-war, dart shooting, archery, canoeing, dodge ball but using safety arrows instead, soccer, and other sports you can think of. These athletes came with one goal and that was to demonstrate who is the better athlete(s), but this wasn’t the purpose of holding this multisport event. The purpose of this event was to show “Em 2015, somos todos indígenas” (In 2015, we are all indigenous) that we are all united neither race nor color will separate us today. Similar to the theme of trying to unite different countries together under both Xul Solar arts and one of Tarsila do Amaral art piece as a transition to the theme of uniting various countries.

In Tarsila do Amaral art piece known as “Abaporu” created in Brazil states that around the 1820s was a time period where the new age of imperializing countries began to expand their territory and Brazil happen to be one of those countries who were getting imperialize. Imperialism is the ability to raise the power of a country by gaining control of other areas in the world and influencing the community in how they live. The “Abaporu” “Oswald, cannibalism, which implied the absorption of the sacred enemy in order to appropriate his best qualities, was a metaphor for the Brazilians’ ability to digest European culture and transform it into something original.”[1] According to the book it states that the Europeans who were coming into Brazil brought in some new materials that Brazilian’s have never seen. Not only were these new materials, but it was also a way for an evolution of art to begin by absorbing these new materials and turning them into something new. “In Brazil and Argentina, where the majority of artist were more interested in introducing new forms of art…”[2] The quote itself states that in Brazil and Argentina was a place where artist were starting to introduce new forms of art and Xul Solar’s art is an excellent example with his idea of uniting all the countries.

Brazil’s indigenous games can be related to one of Xul Solar drawings known as “Nana Watzin” created in Argentina. This drawing demonstrates two people possibly worshipping the sun and the moon, which can also mean yin and yang. Around the picture we can see multiple languages of different cultures being placed into one drawing and a bird that can be a symbol to hope. Xul Solar drawings was the definition of unification. The different languages around his drawing are his doing of trying to unite these countries under the symbol of the bird which represents hope. If we were to compare this to the indigenous games that were held in Brazil, then the language represents the community all unifying to compete for becoming the best athlete(s). The hard work that these athletes place into the sport will signify hope, hoping that the games are a success which it was. Face painting and wearing of Brazils clothing is also a representation of hope because they are a different cultures clothing that they aren’t used to.

Another drawing that can be related to Brazils indigenous games is the art piece known as “Mundo” created by Xul Solar in 1925. This art