Francesco Vezzoli: Amália Traída (Amàlia Betrayed) @GagosianRome

On the occasion of the opening of Francesco Vezzoli Cinerama in San Paulo (Brazil), a retrospective of the artist’s most important videos hosted from November 10 to December 11 at Padiglione OCA by Oscar Niemeyer in Ibirapuera Park, Gagosian presents in the viewing room Amália Traída (Amalia Betrayed)(2004). Gagosian will exhibit a video by Vezzoli, inspired by Brazilian popular culture of telenovelas and the figure of a great fado singer Amália Rodrigues. Played by soap opera star Sonia Braga, with the participation of Lauren Bacall, the work was commissioned by the Museum Serralves (Porto) and shown at the 26th International Biennial of São Paulo.

“My fascination for Brazilian culture goes way back. As a child, I was crazy about the soap operas produced in Brazil and Dancin’ Days was the theme of my dissertation at St Martins, in London. I grew up listening to Brazilian music. During my teenage years I discovered tropicalismo and the four Doces Bárbaros (Caetano, Gil, Gal and Bethânia) and later, the Cinema Novo, especially Julio Bressane and Glauber Rocha. Not to mention the architecture in this country, which I really admire”, says the artist.

The video is considered as part of the program “Fuori Quadriennale” and will be on view at the gallery until November 23rd.