Why Brazil’s Artists Are Revolting against the Country’s New Government
Why Brazil’s Artists Are Revolting against the Country’s New Government
Artsy Editorial
By Silas Marti
Jun 2nd, 2016 10:41 pm
Following the removal of president Dilma Rousseff from office and subsequent political turmoil, Brazil and its new interim government dealt a symbolic blow to the artistic class last month by eliminating the Ministry of Culture. While the government backtracked on its decision less than two weeks after it was announced due to a massive outcry from the country’s cultural producers, significant damage had already been done.
Skeptical of the intentions of a newly appointed minister, Brazilian artists and cultural producers currently refuse to negotiate with what they consider an illegitimate administration. Thousands have occupied government buildings in protest, all across the country. The Palácio Gustavo Capanema, in Rio de Janeiro, one of the nation’s first modernist buildings, became the strongest cell of resistance. Luminaries of the art scene here, such as musician Caetano Veloso, even gave concerts at the site opposing the new regime.
Cutting Culture
The move to dismantle the Ministry of Culture, along with the elimination of other ministries responsible for a series of key public policy areas such as human rights, was one of the first changes announced by Michel Temer, the former vice-president who is now Brazil’s head of state. Rousseff may return to the presidency if acquitted in her final impeachment trial. However, Temer has begun to make a series of controversial adjustments during his short time at the helm of the country.
As the interim president and his new cabinet (composed entirely of middle-aged, white men) convened in Brasília for the first time two weeks ago, the message sent was clear: Brazil had ousted its first female president to welcome representatives of an old economic regime based on conservative values back into power. It marks a sharp right turn in Brazilian politics after years of left-leaning administrations, first with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and then Rousseff.
More:
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-brazil-s-artists-are-revolting-against-the-country-s-new-government-here-s-why
LA forum:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016159213
