Curatorial notes
Tarsila do Amaral's "São Paulo" presents a vibrant tableau of modern life through the lens of early 20th-century Brazil. Notice how industrial and natural elements converge: palm trees stand alongside factories, a quaint house shares the stage with skyscrapers. Consider the recurring motif of the circle. From the car's wheels to the traffic light, this shape— historically symbolic of wholeness and cycles—appears to echo in modernity's rhythm and cyclical nature. Even the tree's canopy and the sun are a variation of the sphere. The red traffic light is reminiscent of ancient warning beacons, signaling pause amidst progress. The color red, potent across cultures, evokes immediate emotional responses: danger, passion, urgency. This symbol, much like the serpent in ancient lore, serves as a potent cultural signifier – evolving from religious symbolism to everyday safety measures. It is this non-linear dance of symbols that reflects our collective memory and emotional engagement with the world around us.