Imaging Brazil 332: Carving a Statue in Belo Horizonte, MG (2011)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

332: Carving a statue

In the late eighties of the last century, a large-scale exhibition of regional and national handicrafts (artesanato) was held for the first time in the large exposition halls of Expominas. Since then, this expo is held annually, a few weeks before Christmas. Every year has its own theme; in 2011, it was: ‘São Francisco, O Rio and O Santo’, about the São Francisco river, the lifeline of South-East and North-East Brazil. Over seven thousand exhibitors show their – mostly – self-produced goods to over 160 thousand visitors. There are also some demonstrations of handwork, in which skillful hands conjure a work of art from a raw object. In the photo, a wood artist is busy chiseling and cutting a wooden statue of Virgin Mary.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017

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IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2008 – 061

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2008.

Part 61:
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Multicolor string necklaces
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Necklace
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Multicolor string necklaces
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Hotdog in tomato sauce

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Multicolor string necklaces

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Necklace

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Multicolor string necklaces

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Hotdog in tomato sauce

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2008, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2008 – 060

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2008.

Part 60:
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Colorful fabric
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Wristbands
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Ribbons
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Strings

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Colorful fabric

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Wristbands

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Ribbons

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) – Strings

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2008, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2011 – 015

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2011.

Part 15:
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Jaguar handicraft
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Sculpting a statue
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Stained glass
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Sculpting a statue

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Jaguar handicraft

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Sculpting a statue

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Stained glass

Belo Horizonte (MG) -Sculpting a statue

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2011 – 014

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2011.

Part 14:
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Mosaic
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Mosaic
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Mosaic
Belo Horizonte (MG) – Mosaic

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Mosaic

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Mosaic

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Mosaic

Belo Horizonte (MG) – Mosaic

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017

Imaging Brazil 175: Orange and Blue in Belo Horizonte, MG (2008)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

175. Orange and blue

DECEMBER 2008: Orange and blue

A large-scale handicraft exhibition has been held at Expominas in Belo Horizonte for more than twenty years. This exhibition – generally held late November, early December – is claimed to be the largest handicraft fair in Southern America. Every year, there is a certain main theme. In 2008 it was ‘Japan’, because the ‘Japan Year’ was celebrated in Brazil that year. An entire pavilion was decorated in the Japanese style, and showed a large collection of Japanese handicraft, food and drinks. However, it was not only Japanese handicraft that was shown at the fair. Handicraft artists from all Brazilian regions had gathered in Belo Horizonte: among others, indigenous handicraft from the Amazon Forest, and handicraft typical for the Northeastern, Western, and Southern Brazil. A large share was from the organizing state: Minas Gerais. The colorful cloths shown in the photograph are from the state’s countryside. 

 © Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2008, 2016

Imaging Brazil 166: Glass Rainbow in Rio de Janeiro, RJ (2008)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

166. Glass rainbow

OCTOBER 2008: Glass rainbow

The District of Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro is especially known for its beautiful beaches. Many Brazilian and foreign tourists cherish fond memories of the wide beaches, colorful sunsets and lively night life. On Sundays, Ipanema host another tourist attraction: the Feira Hippie de Ipanema, which is held in the square next to the metro station: Praça General Osório. This open-air market – according to the site, the largest in the world regarding arts and crafts – started in 1968, when hippies and backpackers gathered to sell their creations, spread on large sheets. Nowadays, the merchandise is found in numerous stalls, in a huge variety of art and decorative objects. Including this interesting glassware, with the colors of the rainbow.

 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2008, 2016

COLORFUL BRAZIL: Namoradeira waiting for her lover. At Feira Hippie (Belo Horizonte,MG)

Namoradeira at Feira Hippie, BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

Feira Hippie has nothing to do with hippies in general. It is an open air market, on Sundays, in the morning, in the center of Belo Horizonte. The largest market of Southern America, according to the tourist site, counts more than 2500 expositors, which offer a wide variety of arts, jewelry, toys, bags, shoes, furniture, decoration, clothes, and other things. Besides, there are various stands that offer local snacks and cold drinks. The Feira started in 1969, at Praça da Liberdade. With the years, the market expanded. In 1991, due to shortage of space, the market had to be moved to Avenida Afonso Pena, and now welcomes about 100 thousand visitors.

A namoradeira is a sculpture that is a typical product of Minas Gerais. It generally is made of wood, but can also be made of ceramics, plaster, or resin. The brightly painted sculpture represents a young girl, normally with a dark skin, with one arm supporting her head, and another crossed over her chest. A pose of a young, single girl, who is impatiently waiting for her lover. The sculpture usually is placed in the window.

The original picture was taken in July 2008

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COLORFUL BRAZIL: Last Farewell at Boa Viagem Beach, Recife (PE)

Last Farewell at Praia de Boa Viagem , RECIFE (PE)

Praia de Boa Viagem (Boa Viagem Beach) is a must-visit in Recife. As with many popular urban beaches, Boa Viagem Beach is flanked by tall buildings and a long, wide boulevard. Many bars and restaurants are located along  the beach. An interesting local market offers you a variety of local dishes, souvenirs, and handicraft. The 7 km beach is protected by a natural barrier of reefs. Hence, the name of the city of Recife (Reef). At low tide, one may enjoy the so-called piscinas naturais, the natural pools. It was a very sunny and warm day in January, when I visited Boa Viagem.  The beach was crowded with local people and tourists. A great number of them enjoyed themselves in the water. And suddenly, I noticed this boiling pan. A pan that contained a lobster, that had met its awful fate to become a delicious meal for tourists. At first, I was convinced that the poor creature was about to escape. But at a closer look, I noticed that there was no way to escape. Poor creature! Waving with its impressive claw, his last farewell to the cruel world….

The original picture was taken in January 2008.

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Click HERE for general information about RECIFE,

including history, touristic information and informative videos.

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