Monthly NewsletterOctober 2011

www.AmSoc.com.brForum

The Art Issue

Page 4: We all know about the large museums in São Paulo. But where can you see emerging artists?

Street art

Page 7: Some call it grafitti, some call it street art. Make up your own mind and see some of the best São Paulo has to offer.

Page 10: Where do all those cows come from?

Moo-seum

The American Society of São Paulo promotes friendship by organizing social, cultural and athletic events for its diverse membership; encourages integration with the Brazilian society; and supports the American traditions of education, philanthropy and volunteerism.

Our Mission

The Art Issue

Save the dateSave the dateUpcoming AmSoc events

Oct 8th - Softball Pick-up Games Oct 27th - Halloween Happy HourOct 29th - Halloween PartyNov 5th - Angel Party

Keep it small

The New YearbookThe last week of October means the

arrival of the 2011 American Society of São Paulo Yearbook, 175-pages thick with member contacts and expat advice, allowing members to connect with each other and pulling in much of the annual revenue for AmSoc.

Filled with useful information such as emergency and public agency telephone numbers, recommended schools, social and volunteer groups, places of worship, and more, the yearbook accounts for nearly 25 percent of the organization’s annual income through the sale of business advertisements. Each business listed in the yearbook has paid for their

It’s not the Great Pumpkin, but it’s sure to be a Great Party!!

A very Haunted M a r i n e H o u s e , Pumpkin Putt Putt, Feed the Monster Beanbag Toss, a

laboratory of yucky monster body parts to touch in the dark….not to mention Nerds, Tootsie Rolls, and Candy Corn…..It’s Halloween!!

Rain or shine, bring your children (up to 12 years old) to our Annual Halloween Party which will be held on Saturday, October 29th from 4-7pm at the U.S Marine House. Ticket prices are as follows: If paid by October 21st to the Amsoc office: 45 R$ per member child / 90 R$ per non-member. If paid at the door on the day of the party: 60 R$ per member child / 100R$ per non-member. Adults free

Includes marine Haunted House (formerly paid separately).

New members can sign up at the party to benefit from the reduced rates for AmSoc members.

We will have Halloween-themed games with prizes, Haunted houses for all ages, and Trick or Treating with real American candy . Snacks will be served for the kids and there will be a cash bar for moms & dads.

This event is a one-of-a-kind event in São Paulo, where Trick or Treating is not part of the Brazilian culture.

Working on the party committee is a great way to meet new people if you are new to São Paulo. If you’d like to help with the pre-party planning or decorate on the morning of the party, please email ruthhollard@hotmail.com.

To get your name on the guest list (for security reasons) please contact AmSoc today: 5182-2074 or AmSoc1@AmSoc.com.br Don’t wait until the last minute!!

(continued on page 12) Yearbook cover by Lara Matana

The President’s Corner

By Joe Sherman, AmSoc president

Forum October2

Lynn Cordeiro, editor and layoutErnest White II, staff writer

Forum is printed by EGB.(http://www.egb.com.br)

Views expressed in Forum do not necessarily reflect those of the American Society board of governors, members, or staff.

Forum reserves the right to edit content for brevity and/or clarity.

The American Society of São Paulo

Rua da Paz, 1431 04713-001 São Paulo, SPTel: (11) 5182-2074 Fax: (11) 5182-9155

forum@AmSoc.com.br

Forum is published monthly, with the exception of January and July, by

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Over the past few months we have reviewed our events and activities that we provide for our membership.

To give you an idea of what

AmSoc does every year I have grouped the activities in categories.

Adult sports; tennis, golf, softball, abacaxi bowl, and basketball. Children activities; Easter hunt, Halloween party, and little league.

Traditional American events; 4th of July and Thanksgiving. Communication/publications; Forum, yearbook directory, and the website.

Social; the annual general meeting (AGM), happy hours, St. Patricks night, patron cocktail, Christmas eggnog party, and usually a mega event such as Vida Jovem.

Charitable; community action committee activities, volunteer days, and the Angel Party.

As you can see it is a long list and requires plenty of planning and execution time. At the suggestion of Board member Jennifer Iverson we decided to rate these events/activities to get a sense of where we should focus our efforts.

The criteria used was the 1) financial impact/benefit, 2) time commitment,

3) alignment with mission, 4) attracts committee and Board members, 5) attracts sponsors, 6) attracts new members, and 7) strengthens ties with partners.

We used a point system and the following events had the highest scores: little league, 4th of July, the yearbook, Forum, website, a mega event, and our community action committee activities.

So based on these results we should continue to improve our communication tools, focus on little league, organize a mega event which helps us financially, and continue the excellent work of the community action committee.

We will be continuing to provide all the activities and this exercise simply helps us focus our efforts. One of the changes will be our Thanksgiving celebration format as we have noticed a decline in interest in the last few years. We will have information on a new format shortly. Another change will be to present the Eric Poliak award at the next AGM in May, which we think is a more appropriate venue.

If you have feedback on our events or other ideas please let me know, jsherman@amcham.com.br

Our newest Board member is Phillip Mangels, welcome Phillip!

Abraço,Joe

Board bioJennifer Showers, Vice President

I’m from upstate New York where I grew up with the most beautiful autumn in the US, freshly picked golden delicious apples, the Culinary Institute of America, cattle and horses, and my rambunctious German/Irish family.

I spent most of my 20’s in England and France. I went to law school in London and returned to the States and worked in two fantastic cities - New York and San Francisco.

I became involved with AmSoc within one month of moving to São Paulo in May 2010. I had so much energy and no outlet! I didn’t know that the hardest part of leaving San Francisco for São Paulo would be the transition from working full-time to not working.

The AmSoc organization is like a super-club of activities for its members - there is an activity or event for everyone and getting involved helps you adjust to life in São Paulo.

I admit that I would be delighted if my story makes you think about becoming more involved. We presently have open board positions and open committee positions related to the following crucial areas: Corporate Sponsorship, Community Action; Membership and Marketing; Social, Cultural, & Athletic Events to name a few!

The AmSoc board meets monthly and we have multiple committees that meet as needed to coordinate our many efforts; we support each other and have built friendships alongside our professional relationships.

I suggest attending a committee meeting and/or one of its events to determine if you might be interested in becoming more involved.

Contact the AmSoc office with any requests for information and we’ll get you set-up to work!

I’m looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming events. All the best! Abraço, Jennifer Showers, Vice President

The American Societyof São Paulo

Forum 32011

Welcome to our New Members

NAME MEMBERSHIP TYPE CITIZENSHIP COMPANY OR PROFESSION

John & Ann ARENDS Family American DelphiJeffrey & Gale BANTA Family American Ernst & YoungDavid & Sandy BRINKMAN Family American Banco GMACSan & Monica Hwunah CHO Family American La Fee ConfecçõesMark & Nicole ENGSTROM Family American Melissa & Gonzalo ESCAJADILLO Family American Jessica ESPADAS Single American Imóveis no PanambyMichael & Daiva FERGESTAD Family American MWM INTERNAT. MotoresJohn & Darlene GERMAINE Family American VisteonAndrew & Eryka GLOVER Family American Davis PolkDavid & Rora GOLDBLATT Family American RubbermaidJohn GREGG Family NCR Brasil Ltda.Michael & Nanette GUARDA Family Patron American Credit AgricoleJack Sun Chu & Keicy Chen HUANG Family Patron Brazilian Astva MotorsMac & Eileen Yu HUANG Family Patron Brazilian New Oldany Ind. Met. LtdaTod & April HUBBARD Family Patron American General ElectricRobert WHITE & Patricia KAVANAGH Family American Guilherme LARANGEIRA & Claire SIEGEL Family Brazilian Steven Andrew & Miriam LONG Family American IntelTroy & Carla MAXEY Family American Catherine MCLEAD Family American U.S. ConsulateJohn & Silvana MOONEY Helping Hands American Niall & Susan O’KELLY Family American Gerald Lee HOFFMAN & Donna ROBERTS Family American Projeto Zula LLCDaniel & Donica SAPIANO Family American General MotorsJoel & Imelda SCOTT Family American General MotorsJoanne SHEN Single Patron American Escola Cidade JardimVaughn & Tina SMITH Family Australian General MotorsBenjamin STEIN & Alissa MEARS Family American Serge & Stacie STEPANOV Family American Luis Dreyfus CommoditiesKimball & Wendy THOMAS Family American Sandra THOMPKINS Single Patron American Delphi AutomotiveJoseph A. VERGA & Marybeth LYNCH Family American Ford Motor Co

Welcome the following New Members who joined us in September 2011. We are very grateful for your support!

Forum October4

By Ernest White II, staff writer

Want art? Go west!

People know the big names in town – MASP, MAM, Tomie Ohtake – but what about Baró? Spray? Luisa Strina?

Not only is São Paulo a veritable gallery of impressive street art and home to Latin America’s largest art event, the biannual Bienal, it also hosts an ever-growing array of small galleries and public exhibition spaces that feature works from some of the world’s most daring, cutting-edge artists. There are amazing artspaces in every corner of the city, but the west side is where it’s at, with galleries dotting the cityscape from Pinheiros to Jardins, and most especially in the artist enclaves of leafy Vila Madalena and up-and-coming Barra Funda.

Situated in the vast warrens of Barra Funda’s warehouse district, Galeria Baró anchors São Paulo’s art scene, occupying a gargantuan industrial space, with a smaller venue – the Emma Thomas gallery (a name the owners came up with as a joke) – on the inside, and a rotating exhibition schedule highlighting Brazilian and international artists: most recently, Paulistana Renata Padovan exhibited a multi-media art project with installations involving video and live grass, while Rio-based Felipe Barbosa reshaped random materials into interesting, geometric forms as a comment on consumerism. Not too far away is Art Deco gem Galeria Transversal, freshly-opened in April, with a focus on contemporary urban art, from engraving to sculpture

to graffiti. Upscale Jardins naturally

plays host to a variety of art spaces, as the neighborhoods that comprise the district – Jardim Paulista, Jardim América, and Jardim Europa – comprise one of the highest concentrations of art collectors in Latin America. Opened last year in Jardins, the immense Galeria Luisa Strina has

hosted a series of exhibitions by Latin America’s leading

conceptual artists, including Brazilian Cildo Meireles and Argentinean Jorge Macchi. Local art maven Mônica Filgueiras, whose gallery is located nearby, mixes street art with traditional sculptures and paintings amongst her displays. And at the bottom of the steep incline descending from Avenida Paulista to Jardim América, Zipper Galeria rests under the aegis of a galerista trifecta. With a young, irreverent eye towards pop art and classical works, owners Melina Valente, Danilo Beltran, and Fabio Cimino program edgy exhibitions that incorporate photography, fashion, and interactive installations.

Over in labyrinthine Vila Madalena, almost overhyped as the city’s ‘bohemian’ quarter as it increasingly goes mainstream, the creative font of the neighborhood still runs deep. Bustling commercial streets in the area, like Rua Fradique Coutinho, host finds like colorfully-political Galeria Millan, with photography exhibitions featuring contraband seized by the federal police, and Galeria Fortes Vilaça, which has had art world superstars like Vik Muniz and Os Gêmeos grace its walls with boundary-pushing works: in July, an exhibition melding erotic films and artwork piqued critical interest. Galeria Ímpar on Rua Mourato Coelho and Galeria Eduardo Fernandes on Rua Harmonia offer intimate spaces in which to catch up-and-comers, such as Claudia Melli and her “Tudo da vida é

um pais estrangeiro” (“Everything In Life is a Foreign Country”), which unites drawing, painting, and photography in an impactful monochromatic palate. Evn graffiti has a more permanent home in Vila Madalena, thanks to gregarious Rui Amaral’s brand-spanking-new Spray Galeria on Rua Delfina, and must-see urban art powerhouse Choque Cultural on Rua João Moura.

The relatively modern art of printing gets showcased at Gravura Brasileira, which is a good place to start the hunt for art in Pinheiros. One of the older venues in town, having opened in 1998, Gravura has held over a hundred exhibitions involving posters, maps, billboards, commercial signage, and blueprints. Currently, visitors can see a collection of wood-cut prints made on deep green-colored paper called “The Book of Jade.” Cultural hub Galeria Virgílio, replete with a café and a program of activities for the erudite of all stripes, displays international and Brazilian artists, while just-opened Central Galeria de Arte Contemporânea provides a space for young artists to gain exposure. For a less rarefied experience, there’s the gallery at SESC Pinheiros, part of a public, multi-purpose chain of community centres, which alternates between paintings, photography, and multimedia installations.

Heading to the nearby Zona Sul neighborhoods of Itaim Bibi and Vila Olímpia? Galeria Oscar Cruz is run by a veteran art dealer, with a two-storey exhibition space and a rich variety of multimedia art projects on display. Casa Triângulo, meanwhile, brings stunning and varied installations, exemplified by the current exhibition, “Jack Strange – Words in the World,” which highlights the British artist’s use of different media to capture the images of human faces found in nature. Suffering from an art attack? Here’s where to find some of the best galleries on the west side of town:

Barra Funda- Galeria Baró/Emma Thomas gallery

Galeria Luisa Strina

The American Societyof São Paulo

2011 Forum 5

Art YearBy Ernest White II, staff writer

Rua Barra Funda, 216; Tel. 3666-6489;www.barogaleria.com- Galeria TransversalRua do Bosque, 206; Tel. 3392-5287www.galeriatransversal.com.br

Jardins- Galeria Luisa StrinaRua Padre João Manuel, 755; Tel. 3088-2471www.galerialuisastrina.com.br- Galeria Mônica FilgueirasRua Bela Cintra, 1533; Tel. 3081-9492www.art-bonobo.com/galerias/monicafilgueiras.htm- Zipper GaleriaRua Estados Unidos, 1494; Tel. 4306-4306www.zippergaleria.com.br

Vila Madalena- Choque CulturalRua João Moura, 997; Tel. 3061-4051www.choquecultural.com.br- Galeria Eduardo FernandesRua Harmonia, 145; Tel. 3032-6380www.galeriaeduardohfernandes.com- Galeria Fontes VilaçaRua Fradique Coutinho, 1500; Tel. 3032-7066www.fortesvilaca.com.br- Galeria ÍmparRua Mourato Coelho, 1017; Tel. 2645-4480www.galeriaimpar.com.br- Galeria MillanRua Fradique Coutinho, 1360; Tel. 3031-6007www.galeriamillan.com.br- Spray GaleriaRua Delfina, 112; Tel. 2476-3879www.spraygaleria.com.br

Pinheiros- Central Galeria de Arte ContemporâneaAvenida Rebouças, 1545; Tel. 2613-0575www.centralgaleriadearte.com- Galeria VirgílioRua Virgílio de Carvalho Pinto, 426www.galeriavirgilio.com.br- Gravura BrasileiraRua Dr. Franco da Rocha, 61; Tel. 3624-0301www.cantogravura.com.br- SESC PinheirosRua Paes Leme, 195; Tel. 3095-9400www.sescsp.org.br

Itaim Bibi/Vila Olímpia- Casa TriânguloRua Paes de Araújo, 77; Tel. 3167-5621www.casatriangulo.com.br- Galeria Oscar CruzRua Clodomiro Amazonas, 526; Tel. 3167-0833www.galeriaoscarcruz.com.br

São Paulo may be the type of city’s that’s got all art, all the time, but there are a few recurring events that stick out in the minds of any art connoisseur worth her weight in coffee table books. From the Bienal to the Centro Cultural São Paulo, annual or biennial events are the driving forces of the city’s art scene. As the world’s second-oldest biennial art show, after Venice, the São Paulo Bienal is rightfully trumpeted as Latin America’s preeminent exhibition event for international artists and their creations. Not without much drama, the Bienal almost sank into oblivion after a series of scandals in the 2000s culminated in an empty exhibition floor in 2008. Resurrected by a huge cash infusion and being curated by Moacir dos Anjos and Agnaldo Farias, the 39th edition, held last fall, saw an estimated one million visitors pass through the Oscar Niemeyer - designed Pavilhão da Bienal in lush Parque do Ibirapuera to view 850 installations. Artists from around the world, including China’s controversial Ai Weiwei and American movie idol Steve McQueen, displayed artwork alongside homegrown heroes like Hélio Oiticica, known for his colorful “environmental art,” and Ernesto Neto, famous for his futuristic sculptures made of unconventional materials. If mega art exhibitions are your thing, you’ll have to wait another year until the sure-to-be-massive 40th edition rolls around. If mega art sales are what get your blood flowing, you’ve only got to wait until next May, when SP-Arte returns to the Pavilhão da Bienal. Modeled after the huge Art Basel sales event, the seven-year-old SP-Arte brings together almost 90 galleries over four days, attracting 16,000 people in 2010 to buy hard-to-find paintings, sculptures, and photographs.

Prices for Latin American pieces can range anywhere from US$600 to US$250,000, while works by icons such as Andy Warhol and Richard Avedon can go for high six-figures. SP-Arte’s sister event, SP-Foto, just wrapped up its fifth edition last month at Shopping Iguatemi. Featuring 26 galleries – just five from São Paulo – this annual sales event has ridden the wave of increased interest in photography as collectible art. Notable photographers highlighted this year included local genius Tuca Vieira, whose images of downtown São Paulo capture the essence of a mega-city in flux, and Canadian master photographer Robert Polidori, who has lensed a good bit of Brazil among his tremendous international portfolio. Meanwhile, serious art appreciators can also appreciate the 2nd Mostra do Programa de Exposições 2011 at the Centro Cultural São Paulo, an event currently running until October 23rd. The exhibition features invited artists who had previously shown work at the cultural center that has been deemed exemplary. Artwork by Carolina Caliento and Daniel Scandurra sits alongside multimedia installations and other varied creations spanning every genre imaginable. Don’t miss out!

Recurring Art EventsThe Bienal – www.fbsp.org.brSP-Arte – www.sp-arte.comSP-Foto – www.sp-arte.com/foto/Centro Cultural São Paulo – www.centrocultural.sp.gov.br

São Paulo Bienal

Forum October6

Brazilian Naive ArtBy Ruth Hollard, AmSoc board member

It can be said that naïve art is a style that has existed for thousands of years, beginning with the cavemen who drew hunting scenes on the walls of their caves. The naïve artist seeks to share a great moment of his life, perhaps something which touched him deeply, or a happy memory. His paintings are colorful, seen from his own unique point of view, a glimpse into his own creative world. Moved by impulse, he begins to paint and tries to solve the technical difficulties on his own, without formal instruction, without constraints, without orientation from a fine art teacher. His figures are not perfectly drawn, there is no symmetry, the perspective is not realistic. Thus the word “naïve” means just that- no notion of how it should be done! But not just any painter without formal academic teaching can be considered to be a naïve artist. The painter who mass-produces the tourist scenes for the Sunday arts & crafts festival is not necessarily an artist. A painter becomes a true artist when he shows a combination of true creativity, talent, and uniqueness.

The Naïve art movement began in France at the end of the 19th century with the work of Henri Rousseau. Rousseau was a retired customs officer

who worked for the railroad station in Paris. He had no academic training, had never set foot into L’Ecole des Beaux Arts. At the time, “art” was defined as paintings which represented reality as closely as possible, using techniques acquired through years of formal academic study. Creativity was

frowned upon! Rousseau was

considered a renegade. He joined with other artists (Van Gogh, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec…) who were rejected at the prestigious art salons, and they exposed their work at the “Salon des Independents”.

In Brazil, the naïve art movement (“art naïf”) did not begin growing until around 1940, beginning with painters like Heitor dos Prazeres, Cardosinho and Jose Antonio da Silva. During the 1960’s and 1970’s painters such as Ivonaldo, Isabel de Jesus, Gerson, Saboia and many others appeared on the scene. Brazilian naïve art reflects a national reality, without l i m i t a t i o n s , extremely rich and varied, authentic and most of the time optimistic and cheerful. There isn’t another country and population in the world that better serves this style.

Today, because of Brazil’s diversity of regions, luxuriant landscapes and the warmth and sensitivity of its people, Brazilian naïve art has reached a predominant place in the world of art.

If you are looking for a piece of genuine Brazilian naïve art for your home, to take back home as a present or a tasteful souvenir of your stay in Brazil, the Galeria Jacques Ardies, located in Vila Mariana for over 30 years, proposes a rich selection of naïve artists. Jacques Ardies, owner, will be happy to share his passion for art with you and help you find the perfect piece- www.ardies.com. I highly recommend that if you are interested in naïve art but not ready to purchase or visit his gallery just now, go ahead and get on his mailing list to receive the colorful and informative newsletters which precede his exhibitions - www.ardies.com/contato.php. Or simply drop in for a coffee and browse his gallery: M-F 10H-18H30, Sat 10H-16H, Rua Morgado de Mateus 579, Vila Mariana, Tel. 5539-7500. English is spoken!

If I were to leave Brazil today to return to my homeland, I can think of no better way to cherish my memories of this beautiful, friendly, incredible country than with a genuine work of Brazilian “art naïf”.

Mara Toledo - “As Lavadeiras”

Malu Delibo - “Fazenda Nova Aurora”

The American Societyof São Paulo

2010 Forum 72011

Most people think that visual art is something to be enjoyed at a museum, art gallery, or at home. These are all great places, but have you ever paused to enjoy the art all around you in São Paulo on buildings, underpasses, construction barriers, and more?

What comes to mind when you first hear the term “street art”? If you automatically think of the word ‘graffiti’, you are partially correct. These two terms overlap a spectrum of visual representation placed in public spaces. According to Wikipedia, graffiti, “is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property.” But we shouldn’t stop there when discussing street art since most people think of graffiti as gang related tags and scrawling.

Street art can be thought of as encompassing artful graffiti using various media from spray paint or paint pens to other media such as LED art, mosaic tiling, , stencil art, sticker art, wheat pasting, and video projection.

These artworks are either permitted or contracted by local government and private owners or done illegally without the consent of the public space’s owner (sometimes because there is none to answer to). Most people conjure up negative images when they hear the word graffiti, so the term street art is often used to give this more visually appealing form a new life. In this article I am focusing primarily on public art using paint and most of it is either permitted or contracted.

São Paulo has an especially rich variety of street art. In fact, it is considered to be the epicenter of street art in South America and is highly renowned worldwide within the art community. Many artists featured around town have traveled around the world to have their work featured in galleries and in public spaces. Highly

regarded twin artists, Os Gemeos (www.osgemeos.com.br), can be seen all over town and have also been featured in such cities as New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Zezão (http://www.lost.art.br/zezao.htm) is another leading street artist in

Brazil. His works are featured primarily along drainage and sewer systems and are mostly a political statement to draw attention to the amount of trash accumulating within the city since as he puts it “the states lack of concern”.

Onesto (http://www.alexhornest.com/) is yet another famous artist whose work can be seen throughout the streets of São Paulo. Onesto, or Alex Hornest, works in sculpture as well as paint. His work has been included in numerous printed compilations of street art from around the world and has had solo exhibits in São Paulo, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Porto Alegre.

Examples of these artists and others can be seen throughout the city. Some of it is sanctioned by either the government or a local business and is usually a mural of some sort. Other examples decorate abandoned buildings and construction barriers. Some of it is even illegal. However, you can’t deny the ingenuity of many of these artists. Walking or driving through the streets and highways you will see various

examples.The most well known in the city

is an area called ‘Batman’s Alley’ (or Beco do Batman in Portuguese). It is a relatively short stretch of narrow alleyway in Vila Madalena where artists showcase their ideas on a grand

and public scale. Here, every graffiti

artist featured asks permission from the person or business who owns that piece of wall and is then the ‘owner’ to paint from that point forward. Start your viewing at this location on the corner of Rua Harmonia and Rua Medeiros de Albuquerque.

Other locations include:

Beco do Aprendiz – Also in Vila Madalena and featuring over 50 artists

at this location running along Rua Belmiro Braga.

Miss Browne State School – Every year featured artists paint a large wall on school grounds for all to see. The school is located in Vila Pompeia at Rua Padre Chico, 102.

Choque Cultural Gallery – An indoor gallery featuring street artists. A great place to purchase original works and prints! Located in Pinheiros at João Moura, 997 (http://choquecultural.com.br/).

Primavera-Interlagos Station – This extensive section is located in the Cidade Dutra neighborhood on the corner of Avenida Presidente João Goulart and Rua Manuel Caldeira.

São Paulo has so many high-quality examples to enjoy everywhere around the city. So, if you are looking for a nice day trip be sure to check out these and other locations near your neighborhood!

Other Sources: “Lugares imperdíveis para conhecer street art em São Paulo”, by Luciana Carvalho at Exame.com

Street Art in São PauloBy S. Janelle Mingus

Forum October8

Embu das Artes

Embu, also known as Embu das Artes, is a Brazilian city in the State of São Paulo in the suburbs of the capital, famous for an unexpected specialization as a city for artists. Embu das Artes is a 20 minutes drive from downtown São Paulo, approximately 15 miles, on Rodovia Regis Bittencourt (BR-116), which leaves São Paulo in the direction of Curitiba, after you pass Taboão da Serra and Itapecerica da Serra.

The history of Embu began in 1554, with the arrival of a group of Jesuits of the settlement of Bohi, later M’Boy, half way between the sea and the São Paulo hinterlands. As the Jesuit missions in the interior of Brazil, the primary objective was to convert the native population to Roman Catholicism, in an attempt to use them as farm workers in the region.

In 1607 the lands of the village

passed to the hands of Fernão Dias (uncle of the bandeirante Fernão Dias, the emerald hunter).

In 1690, the priest Belchior de Pontes initiated the construction of the Igreja do Rosário (the Church of the Rosary), when it transferred at the same time to the nucleus of the original village. In 1760, by order of the Portuguese Crown,

the Jesuits were expelled from Brazil because of their interference in colonist affairs, such as protecting converted natives from the Bandeiras, which sought to enslave them.

The artistic vocation of the city started to project itself in 1937, when Cássio M’Boy, “santeiro” - sculptor of religious images - in Embu, gained first prize on the Exposition Internationel d’Arts Techniques du Paris. Before that, Cássio had been the professor of some renowned artists and received illustrious representatives of the Modernismo movement of 1922, including Anita Malfatti, Tarsila do Amaral, Oswald de Andrade, Menotti Del Picchia, Volpi and Yoshio Takaoka.

One of Cássio M’Boy’s most successful disciples was Sakai do Embu, internationally-known and one of the greatest Brazilian ceramist-

sculptors. In 1962, Sakai formed the Solano Trindade group of plastic artists, highly influenced by African-Brazilian art and the religious tradition of the Yoruba orishahs.

The artistic tradition of Embu is an institution with projects and events held both in Brazil and abroad since 1964. The Feira de Artes and Artesanato do Embu (Arts and Handicraft of Embu) was launched in the late 1960s and it has been attracting tourists and revenues to the city ever since. It happens every weekend and it’s held on the streets as a large open fair. It is an excellent place to buy antiques, gifts, souvenirs, Brazilian stones and all sort of sculptures, paintings, handcrafts in a charming colonial architecture and therefore well known by visitors from all over Brazil.

Nova Perfect http://www.novaperfect.com.br offers daily city tours to Embu in executive cars. Their 1 day tour packages include walking the streets of the city and visiting the historic buildings that still retain their original characteristics as well as time to buy crafts and antiques.

Quick View

WhenYou´d better go on a Saturday or

Sunday because of the Craft Fair. In early May there is the traditional Festa de Santa Cruz, heritage of the Jesuit colonization of the city, with folk

By Melissa Harkin, AmSoc member

The American Societyof São Paulo

2011 Forum 9

dancing and ethnic foods, among other attractions. Moreover, in June occurs the Festa de São Marcos, with folk dances.

ClimateThe rainy season

is during summer, especially in January and February. The temperatures go around 27C during the first months of the year and in July, and it falls to 14C during the winter.

Main Attractions• The Feira de Artesanato

(Craft Fair) is definitely the biggest attraction in town. It happens all weekends and holidays, from 9am to 6pm. There you’ll find paintings, sculptures, antiques, furniture, ceramics and utensils. One of the most famous sculptures are the “namoradeiras”, which are perched on the windows, looking for a boyfriend.

• The Complexo Jesuítico (Jesuit Complex), composed by the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Church of Our Lady of the Rosary) and the Museu de Arte Sacra (Sacred Art Museum), located in the central square, shows the Baroque crafts and has several pictures of angels, saints and biblical characters created by Jesuits and the Indians.

• The Praça Central (Central Plaza) is the perfect place to sit and try some snacks, watching people

passing by, while you listen to good music and relax after walking the fair.

• There are some good shops to buy typical food and drinks (usually a good gift for friends and relatives). Doce de leite (milk candy) and cheese are good choices. In some of the shops you can taste the delicacies (and the drinks ... don’t get lost in the different types of wines and cachaças). An interesting and pleasant mix is the Romeo and Juliet, a mix of cheese and guava.

Where to Stay: If you are in São Paulo, you can visit the city and return on the same day, but if you drank a lot of cachaça and need to stay there, some good options are Pousada das Artes or Pousada du Valle.

More information about what goes on in the city can be seen at http://www.embu.sp.gov.br and, near the central plaza. there is a tourist information center with flyers and info also available in English.

Fellowship Community ChurchThe Welcome Place since 1921

Phone (11) 3253-7609 www.fellowship.com.br

Sunday’s09:00 am - Walking in Faith Classes (English and Portuguese)

10:30 am – Worship Service (English only)

06:00 pm – Culto em português

Conveniently located on Rua Carlos Sampaio, 107 – Bela VistaJust a block and a half from the Brigadeiro Metro station on the Avenida Paulista

Forum October10

Cows in the street are a natural sight... if you inhabit the countryside. However, spotting them while they graze in Prague’s antique center or while they recline in New York’s Times Square is certainly a peculiar sight! Cows are not just making bizarre appearances in the big cities of the world, they have also shed their spotted coats for new dazzling designs.

The cow craze emerged in Zurich, Switzerland in 1998 when Walter Knapp suggested constructing life-size fiberglass sculptures to serve as canvases for artists to paint on. But the cows attracted so much hype that they were transferred to Chicago and New York. Now, more than 3000 cows have been created by approximately 5000 artists in three different poses: standing, grazing, or reclining. Hence the cow parade evolved from a wacky experiment into an innovative art form.

Today, Cow Parade is considered the largest and most successful public art exhibition in the world. It has been staged in over fifty cities including Chicago (1999), New York (2000), London (2002), Tokyo (2003), Brussels (2003), Dublin (2003), Prague (2004), Stockholm (2004), Mexico City (2005), São Paulo (2005), Buenos Aires (2006), Boston (2006), Paris (2006), Milan (2007), and Istanbul (2007). In every city it visits, the art movement spreads mirth. But more importantly than the camera flashes of both tourists and locals alike, the Cow Parade helps earn funds for charities. The highest selling cow, Wage Moo from Dublin (a mosaic of Waterford Crystals designed by renowned designer John Rocha), sold for $146,000. Due to the repeated auction of the cows, over $20 million have been raised to benefit

worldwide charities to datEach year, the Cow Parade selects a

particular destination in which it will display its colorful cows. Numerous corporations then invest in buying white models for recruited artists to lavish with exclusive patterns or unique portraits, incorporating community themes. The average amount of cows displayed in the parade ranges from 75 to 150 per event. The cows, when completed, are positioned in open areas where they remain for two to four months- a veritable outdoor

museum. São Paulo was

the first city in South America to receive the cows dispersed throughout its streets. They interrupted traffic on Avenida Paulista and sprawled on the grass of Ibirapuera Park.

The grandiose occasion displayed 150 cows, fifteen of which were painted by the children of different institutions affiliated to Fundação Abrinq pelos Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente and the rest painted by consecrated artists such as Luiz Hermano, Rui Amaral, Guto Lacaz, and Anita Kaufmann. More than simply a fun art exhibition, the event also fostered support for social justice.

But the importunate question remains: WHY COWS?!

Cows are treasured animals in various cultures. They connect humans to our past as farmers herding cattle. They provide necessary goods such as leather, milk, and meat, as well as labor. In the Hindu religion, cows are even considered sacred. And of course, they transmit affection. So why not employ cows as symbols of fine art?

This year (November 24), the Cow Parade will be visiting Goiânia. Do not miss the opportunity to admire a bovine beauty!

The Cow Moo-seumBy Isabella Freyre

The American Societyof São Paulo

2011 Forum 11

42nd Chapel Art Show pays tribute to Antonio Henrique Amaral

Between October 20 (inaugural cocktail at 8:00 p.m.) and 26, the American international school, Chapel, will host its traditional annual benefit event, the 42nd Chapel Art Show, which will be open to the general public.

The show will include works by Rogério Degaki, Patrícia Furlong, Márcio Scavone, Florian Raiss, Pablo di Giulio, among many others and all works will be available for purchase.

The event will exhibit 500 paintings, sculptures, lithographs, sketches and photography from 150 renowned contemporary artists on the Brazilian art scene. The curator for the event will be Adriana Rede.

This year, special tribute is going to Antonio Henrique Amaral, who will be presenting large-scale canvases from the 1970/1990 (the ‘Bananas’ and ‘Torsos’ series), as well as lithographs from 1960 to 2000 and recent introspective sketches from the artist’s portfolio.

The usual commission on sales, a common practice at art shows, will in this case be used in the school’s efforts to help the needy. As a benefit event, artists participate directly by asking for lower, more enticing prices. With this, buyers also win, paying less than the real market price for works of the highest quality. Prices begin at R$ 280 (photographs) and reach tens of thousands of Reais.

The renowned photographer Márcio Scavone, who is participating for the

first time in the event, will be showing five works, among them an album with 20 photographic essays on street graffiti in São Paulo, and one piece that won an award from National Geographic.

Rogério Degaki will participate with some sculptures in resin that represent toy art.

There are also photographs by Pablo di Giulio, Valentinino Fialdini and Jardineiro André Feliciano, a photo-collage by Patrícia Furlong, sculptures by Alex Cerveny and recent sculptures from the Quadrúpede (Four Legs) series by Florian Raiss, who will exhibit for the first time the piece Eva, a four-legged woman.

Among those showing lithographs are Claudio Tozzi, Cris Rocha and Kika Levy.

There is also an area reserved for a special selection of lithographs signed by art icons, such as Burle Marx, Eduardo Sued, Ferreira Gullar, Maria Bonomi, Antonio Lizarraga, Hércules Barsotti and Almir Mavignier, just to mention a few of the more than 30 names that are part of this selection.

The show will also present an expressive selection of naïf (naïve) paintings, a genre which is popular among foreigners. (see page 6 for an article on this genre)

Antonio Henrique Amaral

In each edition, the Chapel Art Show reserves a special section to pay tribute to a renowned artist on the Brazilian art scene. This year, our artist of honor is renowned for his sketches, lithographs and sculptures.

Antonio Henrique Amaral has selected two large-scale paintings of the ‘Bananas’ series, completed in the 1970s, while he was voluntarily exiled in New York. There are also pieces from the ‘Torsos’ series, from the 1980s, several lithographs from the 60s, 80s, 90s and 2000s, phases in which the artist was dedicated to this technique, and large-scale sketches from past decades and a more recent series, this one more introspective. There is also a never-before-seen piece, entitled ‘No Title Yet’.

42nd Chapel Art Show

Inaugural Cocktail: October 20, 2011, at 8:00 p.m.

From October 21 to 26from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Location: Chapel School – Escola Maria Imaculada

Address: R. Vigário João de Pontes, 537 – Chácara Flora Admission and parking free.

Forum October12

Halloween Happy Hour

Angel PartyOn November 5, the twelfth annual

American Society Angel Party is taking over Chapel School, come rain or shine. There’s lots of good news to share – and needs still to be met.

The best news is that most of the 210 children coming to this year’s party have sponsors. Thank you all! We still need a few more sponsors, however. And, of course, we need back-up sponsors because we have new kids arriving as old kids leave. You can help by agreeing to sponsor one of our last children or being placed on the waiting list to be a “super shopper” (lots of shopping in a short time). You can also contribute R$350 so we can do the shopping for you. Other donations would be spent covering the costs of buses for the children, the show, extra refreshments and prizes for the games. Please consider helping in this way. To do so, write Sue Banman Sileci at sue@sileci.com.

The Angel Party also needs volunteers for an organizing day before the party. We will have received

all the bags by October 5. Two weeks after that we do a quick check that all gift bags have all the items they need. We also put all the gifts in uniform white bags and color code them by orphanage or daycare center with ribbons and printed labels. This requires half a day of hard work with 20 volunteers (or several days work for one person if no one signs up to help). Please do! It’s fun in the way cleaning your kitchen cupboards is fun. Sign up by writing Eileen Tasso at eileentasso@gmail.com.

Finally, we usually have 120 volunteers on the day of the party, and lots of others without specific jobs helping where needed or just enjoying the fun. Please consider signing up to help. There are two shifts: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. To volunteer, send an email with your shift preference to Simone Carneiro at simone.brazil@terra.com.br

We – and 210 struggling children – need your financial help, your energy and your support. Join us for some real fun.

Don’t miss our monthly Happy Hour on Thursday October 27th at 6pm to 8pm. It’s a great opportunity to make some new friends and the venue is very cool, come check it out! We’ll be upstairs on the balcony (weather permitting) and everyone is welcome!

We’ve postponed the awarding of the annual Eric Poliak Award to May 2012. Eric Poliak was a true example of volunteerism. The Board of Governors established the award shortly after Poliak’s death, to be given to someone who has renewed his legacy, exceptional efforts above and beyond normal volunteerism. We look forward to accepting nominations in March 2012.

Eric Poliak Award postponed to May

advertisement, and each listing has been reviewed and catalogued by Maureen Alves for easy look-up.

AmSoc has steered loyal expat customers to these businesses for years and encourages its members to utilize the services featured in the yearbook, many of which have English-speaking employees.

The AmSoc yearbook should be the go-to guide for businesses and services in São Paulo. Businesses that are making their debut in this year’s edition include Pediatric Dentistry, Expatco relocation company, English-speaking veterinary office and pet shop Stetic Dog, and the Juquehy Praia Hotel.

Don’t miss the insert from the Grand

Hyatt Hotel. This year’s cover, which features

the work of a different Brazilian artist each year, showcases visual artist Lara Matana, a transplant to Mato Grosso from São Paulo who has embraced the vivid natural colors of the Pantanal to produce the gorgeous cover art.

Lara Matana will be exhibiting her work from October 10th through 29th at Lourdina Jean Rabieh Art + Antiques, Alameda Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 147 in Jardim Paulistano, with a vernissage on the 10th at 7pm.

Learn more at her site, www.laramatana.com

The New Yearbook(continued from front page)

The American Societyof São Paulo

2011 Forum 13

Americans seek 3rd Cup victory against Scots in upcoming 6th Challenge Golf CupThis year´s Challenge Golf Cup (our version of the “Ryder Cup”) will be played on November 18th at the beautiful and challenging Guararpiranga Golf Course. It will also be a charity fund raiser amidst lots of bells and whistles that accompany a semi-professional golf event, including tournament awards, corporate sponsors, a “raffle”, as well as cocktails and speeches. Up to 100 golfers are expected to join in this always very lively and competitive sporting match between the American Society and St. Andrews Society. In fact, not only Americans and Scots usually play, for each team has their group of loyal Brazilians who have regularly played with their team over the years, not to mention Aussies and Brits, and other nationalities. The score between to two Teams stands at 3 – 2 in favor of the Scots.

The American Society of São Paulo is pleased to announce our annual charity & team golf match, with festivities, against the St. Andrew Society of the State of São Paulo.

Date: Friday, November 18, 2011

Time: 8h30 – Bus leaves AMCHAM (seat on bus made by reservation only)10h00 – Registration and Warm-up11h30 – Twosomes to Tees for Shotgun start12h00 – Start Tournament – Shotgun 17h00 – Cocktails at Club Restaurant, including tournament awards and prizes21h00 – Bus leaves for AMCHAM (arrival estimated at 22h

Format: Twosome Best Ball ScrambleMaximum Handicap Index of 28Snack lunch during golf and a Buffet with cocktails afterwards during awards

Cash prizes for “Closet to Pin” and “Longest & Straightest Drives”Raffle with various corporate sponsors offering exciting gifts

Venue: Guarapiranga Golf and Country Club Telephone: for directions (011-5979-2250 or 011-9751-2393)Estrada Jaceguava - Casa Grandewww.guarapirangagolf.com.br

Dress code: Golf Attire (Team Shirts will be provided for each golfer)

Cost: Entry (limited to first 100 golfers)R$255 for golf participants who are MEMBERS of either SocietyR$303 for golf participants who are NOT members of either SocietyR$55 for non-golfers but Society members (limited to first 50 for festivities)R$35 for roundtrip bus reservation

The 6th Challenge Golf Cup - November 18, 2011 - Guarapiranga Golf & Country Club - Guarapiranga – São Paulo

In conjunction with the Brazilian Beisbol Confederation for the third straight year, AmSoc will host its annual softball championship in November. This year we will have two softball tournaments in November, both at the CT Yakult Baseball Park in Ibuina, which is located a bit past Cotia on the Raposo Tavares.

The first will be a mini-tournament on the weekend of November 5th and 6th, where the non-American teams will play on Saturday and the Americans on Sunday in deference to the AmSoc Angel party that November 5th.

This mini-tournament will act as a warm-up for the 2-day Championships taking place two weeks later as well as to establish the “Team seeds” for it.

The Championships will be on Thanksgiving weekend, unfortunately,

for it’s the only date we can have the fields.

Due to a hugely popular outcome last year, during the lunch hour on Sunday the 27th we will have a Homerun hitting contest where each team will elect 2 members to participate, which means each participant gets to swing at 10 pitches to see how many HRs are hit. If there are ties, we´ll have 10 more pitches to hit, and so on. And there will be the traditional BBQ going on each with their large swimming pool available for all families and players to cool off!

We expect to have between 8 and 12 teams entering, multiple teams from the Americans, Brazilians, Japanese and Korean communities.

2011 Softball Schedule:Pick-up games – 10/08 – at Chapel School – 9am to 3pmMini-Tournament – 11/06 – at CT Yakult, in Ibuina – 9am to 5pmPick-up games – 11/12 – at Graded School – noon to 4pm2011 Championship – 11/26 & 11/27 – at CT Yakult, in Ibuina – 9am to 5pm

AmSoc Sports

AmSoc Softball Team prepares to defend their 2010 Championship in November

By John Kennedy, AmSoc board member

American-Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Heloisa Garman, Psy.D. U.S.-licensed Clinical Psychologist (covered by U.S. health insur-ance). Bilingual, with extensive private practice in Chicago and former therapist at the Family Institute at Northwestern Uni. Treats individu-als, couples, and families. Specialized in anxi-ety, depression, cultural issues, and adjustment disorders. Call Dr. Garman at (11)7179-9723 or 3898-2330 or send an e-mail to hcbgarman@aol.com.

Transform a Cherished Memory into a

Work of Art Time seems to be passing more and more rapidly and many times we would like to hold on to a moment and make it last longer than it does. A first step, a birthday, a special feeling, a moment in the light. Time is one thing that is out of our control and the more we try to grasp it, the faster it seems to go. I don’t have a solution for this but what I can do is capture a precious moment in a sculpture. Please contact me for more infor-mation. Nadja 5535-0937 or 8921-0165 or email art@nadjavenezian.com.br or visit www.nadjavenezian.com.br

Personal Trainer

I will come to your home, office, or workout fa-cility and create an exercise/fitness program tai-lored to your health concerns, fitness goals, and schedule. For adults and children, individuals or groups. Sessions in English, Spanish, or Por-tuguese. For more information please contact Daniela Franco at (11) 9739-6191 or dsf29@hotmail.com.

Argos Dog Kennel Traveling? What about your dog? Argos Kennel Hotel could be his second home in the coun-try. Food, water, and shelter with lots of love and personal care. No lonely kennel for him, but our home and the freedom of a spacious garden. Fetch and carry service. English and French spoken. Call Jean or Christiane at (11) 4661-1430 or (11) 7143-0837 or send an e-mail to jean.chris@uol.com.br. Embu Guaçu, SP.

Math and Science Tutor

Former Graded and Chapel teacher, with 25-years experience, tutors Math, Physics, Chemis-try, and Science for all levels, including but not limited to the IB, IGCSE, SAT-I & II, AP and Brazilian vestibular. Elementary and middle school students are also welcome (all subjects). Call Fernando Knijnik at (11) 9134-6700.

American-Licensed Expat Psychologist

Richard Morhaime, Psy.D., offers skilled psy-chotherapy for children and adults. He also pro-vides complete diagnostic evaluations in Eng-lish for children with academic or behavioral difficulties, featuring individualized recommen-dations for school and home. For more infor-mation, contact Dr. Morhaime at 5538-0099 or 9669-8057 or visit www.expatpsychologist.com.br

American-Licensed Psychotherapist

In this busy and ever-changing world, people of-ten feel stressed and overwhelmed with no place to turn. Psychotherapy/counseling can provide a safe place to receive professional guidance and support. Brief or longer-term therapy offered depending on your needs, goals and expecta-tions. Services: individual, couples, child/ado-lescent. Certified to conduct Adoption Home Study for American Citizens. Contact: Pamela Wax, MSW/LCSW at 5051-5988 or 9656-2106 or send an e-mail to pamwax@gmail.com. Lo-cated in Moema.

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Forum October14

Housing

Sunny Apartment in São Paulo

Sunny, airy, ample apartment just a stone’s throw from the Graded School. Two-story apartment measuring approximately 300 square meters, with two large living rooms; four bedrooms (two suites and a “suite americano”); a sepa-rate TV room/office; ample kitchen with brand new cabinetry; and large “área de serviço”. Building includes heated pool, exercise room, playground. Each apartment has a “depósito” and three parking spaces. The full apartment was lovingly refurbished in 2010; the owners are now unexpectedly returning to the United States. Price: R$770 thousand. For further in-formation, please email us at morumbiapartment@gmail.com

Furnished apartment for rent

Vila Nova Conceição. São Paulo’s Best place to live. Near Ibirapuera Park. Modern building with sports facilities, heated swimming pool, three bedrooms (one suite), a living room with terrace, complete kitchen, maid’s bedroom and bathroom, big service area, two parking spaces. Fully furnished with all appliances. Call Alex or Eliane at (11) 3849-7085 or (11) 8635-7788, or send an e-mail to alex@caboverde.com.br.

Looking for apartments

Looking for furnished, fully equipped apart-ments in São Paulo. Offer management, pro-motion, purchasing, remodeling and decoration services for your property. We will rent your flat to foreign tourists & executives visiting the city looking for alternative accommodations. Highly experienced specialized international group. Contact: Paola B. de Estrada 9210-2201, paola@apartmentssp.com or www.apartmentssp.com

A classified of up to 350 characters costs R$55 for AmSoc members and R$80 for non-members. To place a classified please call (11) 5182-2074 from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., or send an e-mail to AmSoc1@americansociety.com.br.

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Forum does not check all of the advertisers appearing in this newsletter. We urge you to use these services; however, thoroughly check prices and services prior to finalizing any service or purchase agreement.

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The American Societyof São Paulo

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For more than 60 years The American Society of São Paulo has worked to establish a strongnetwork for expats living and working in São Paulo. Join Today!!!

Visit our website at www.amsoc.com.br and fill in our on-line formor call the AmSoc office at 5182-2074

2011 Forum 15

cAleNdAr

Learn more about this month’s AmSoc events (highlighted) at www.AmSoc.com.br.Important Dates: 8 Columbus Day (us), 12 Holy mary’s Day (br)October 2011

01 Saturday The 87th Caledonian Ball Espaço Rosa Rosarum R. Francisco Leitão, 416 (Pinheiros) For more information visit www.standrews.com.br

03 Monday Art Exhibit Alina Fonteneau The last day to visit the vernissage of Alina Fonteneau, at Rua Gumercindo Saraiva 54 (off of Faria Lima, near the Museu da Casa Brasileira).

08 Saturday Softball Pick-up Games Pick-up games to be held at Chapel School from 9 am to 2 pm. Please contact John Kennedy at john@kennedy-partners.com or visit www.AmSoc.com.br for more details.

10 Monday Scottish Country Dancing Club Outside Drake’s Pub, in the Brazilian British Centre in Pinheiros, at 8 pm. Please visit www.standrews.com.br for more details

27 Thursday Halloween Happy Hour Join us to Halloween Happy Hour at L’Absolu Bar, Rua Gomes de Carvalho 1715, Vila Olímpia.

28 Friday Workshop II: The Art of Seeing Natural vision improvement With ArtDuring the second half Patricia will guide us in the art appreciation and expression activities. All activities are playful and hands on constituting a healthy, fun and inspiring activity for the community. Always from 10:00 am to 01:00 pm. More information in AmSoc website.

29 Saturday Halloween Party for kids To be held at the U.S. Marine House. From 4 to 7 pm. www.AmSoc.com.br or ruthhollard@hotmail.com for more information.

The Second Act of Tomie OhtakeBy Maureen Kennedy Alves, AmSoc board member

I’ve always been a big fan of second acts in life. Of finding a passion or talent that you didn’t know existed and turning it into a success story.

Look at Julia Child. The queen of French cuisine didn’t even arrive in Paris until she was 36 and didn’t learn to cook until she was almost 40. Rodney D a n g e r f i e l d (remember him? the one who couldn’t get no respect) didn’t get his comedy career in gear until he was 42. And Harland Sanders (that’s Colonel Sanders to you and me) launched his multi-million dollar Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises at the tender age of 66.

I’m not sure why I love these stories. Maybe they inspire me, give me hope that it’s never to late to create. To do what you love. Or perhaps because they remind me that life – or at least your vocation - is not a linear path from point A to point B. Plan as you might, there are always many twists and turns, and you never really know what lies ahead.

Whatever the reason, it’s no wonder that I was taken by the story of the Japanese Brazilian artist, Tomie Ohtake. She’s a famous contemporary artist here in Brazil who didn’t paint her first piece until she was 39. And who has been continuing her productive career in abstract painting, engraving, and sculpture well into her 90s.

I first came across Tomie Ohtake’s name in my Wallpaper City Guide to São Paulo. (For those of you unfamiliar with Wallpaper guides, I can only say they are super hip pocket guides that

can make super unhip people like myself feel almost cool). The guide listed the Instituto Tomie Ohtake in its 24-hour section (as in where to go if you only have one day to spend in São

Paulo), along with the tip that a visit to the institute is “a must on any city itinerary.”

While I’m not sure I would call the institute a “must,” it is definitely worth a visit. And, as Wallpaper points out, that’s partly because of the building that it’s housed in. In fact, you probably already know it. It’s the mauve (dare I say pink) and blue glass tower on Avenida Faria Lima in Pinheiros. The building, designed by Tomie Ohtake’s son, Ruy (who also designed the Hotel Unique), is a designophile’s dream and stands apart from the other modern skyscrapers in the south São Paulo skyline.

The Institute, which exhibits modern art, is small – only two floors – but is a welcome oasis in the sea of São Paulo chaos. The bottom floor opens up three stories to an arresting glass ceiling that allows natural light to flood

the space, and in particular, the three Tomie Ohtake sculptures on permanent display. The sculptures, along with the Institute’s restaurant, Santinha (a hot spot among São Paulo’s beautiful

people – at least at lunchtime) were definitely the highpoints for me.

Unfortunately, the institute only runs a Tomie Ohtake exhibit once a year, so to see more of the artist’s work, you must visit the gallery where she is represented, Galeria Nora Roesler. I won’t even begin to try to describe Tomie Ohtake’s style, although the gallery says an “antagonistic and rhythmic silence” runs through her work. Descriptions

like that often leave me scratching my head, kind of like when someone tells me my wine has chocolate and fruity undertones, but I can only say that when looking at a Tomie Ohtake painting, I get the same feeling I had when I entered her institute – a calmness, an inner quiet, a tranquility. And who knows? Maybe some of that is from the work itself and some from the knowledge that most of it was created well into the second half of her life. Reminding me once again that second acts are often the sweetest.

Maureen Kennedy Alves is a freelance writer, private yoga instructor and mom to a beautiful baby boy here in S‹o Paulo. She can be reached at maureenalves@gmail.com.