Gilvan Barreto: Paradise

Paraíso, by Pernambuco photographer and artist Gilvan Barreto, is a book approaching the relationship between photography and writing, investigating images insinuating a paradisiacal landscape able to camouflage injustice networks — exposing, visually and symbolically, open wounds in Brazilian land. In the words of its editor, professor, researcher and curator Diego Matos, it’s a “poetic and historic anthology”: spare pictures, photographic series, reinterpreted books, collages, films, and action shots combine, formally and conceptually, as an open network collection of Barreto’s artistic and image production, creating dialogue and contrast, silence and discourse.

What is paradise? A fantasy, a feeling, a fragment in time? Or, as questioned by the artist, “a meticulously framed picture, an image that hides more than it shows”? Gilvan Barreto wants to see and show what’s left out — a paradise that’s both shield and façade: “For centuries the memory of this land has been built through the systematic use of violence. Cycles of intimidation are constante and always have the same target: the environment and the most vulnerable communities.”

Throughout its pages, in a narrative that the artist compares to a feature film, image and text enter a dialogue: pictures are interspersed with a body of summaries that anchors the reading experience, a long interview verbalizing intentions and processes, and an essay by the editor to critically advance in the reading of an action both artistic and political.

About the artist
Gilvan Barreto was born in Jaboatão dos Guararapes, PE, in 1973. He’s a photographer and visual artist. His work evidences political, social, and environmental issues, influenced by film and literature. He was lauded with important awards such as Prêmio Brasil de Fotografia (2017 and 2014), Prêmio Funarte Marc Ferrez de Fotografia (2014), Prêmio Fundação Conrado Wessel de Arte (2013), Prêmio Nacional de Fotografia Pierre Verger (2017), and was one of the artist chosen by Rumos (Itaú Cultural), in 2018 and 2014. He’s the author of Sobremarinhos – Capitanias e tiranias (2019), Suturas (2016), Orquestra Pernambucana de Fotografia (2015), Sobremarinhos (2015), O livro do sol (2013) and Moscouzinho (2012). He directed the documentary Prelúdio da fúria (2017) and co-directed Novo mundo (2020), a webseries and short film about State violence and racism, in addition to other film works. His work is shown in exhibitions, galleries, and art collections. He lives in Rio de Janeiro.

About the editor
Diego Matos was born in Fortaleza, CE, in 1979. He’s a researcher, professor, and curator. With a degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from the Ceará Federal University (UFC), he holds a master’s (2006-2009) and doctor’s (2010-2014) degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from São Paulo University (FAU-USP). He’s one of the creators of Rama Plataforma (2021), an environment dedicated to teaching and broadcasting visual arts. In partnership with Márcio Seligmann-Silva, he’s one of the curators of the permanent exhibit MemoriAntonia: Por uma Memória Ativa a Serviço dos Direitos Humanos (Centro Universitário Maria Antonia – USP, 2021). With Guilherme Wisnik, he edited Cildo: Estudos, espaços, tempo (2017). He was the archive and research coordinator and institutional curator of the Videobrasil Cultural Association (2014-2016). Throughout his long trajectory, he organized various publications and exhibitions. He lives and works in São Paulo.

Specifications
Title Gilvan Barreto: Paraíso
[Gilvan Barreto: Paradise]
Author Gilvan Barreto
Editor Diego Matos
Designer Yana Parente
Language Portuguese/English
Page count 220
ISBN 978-65-5691-061-1
Size 16 x 21 cm
Format Softcover
Year 2022