June 18th, 2024.

Alexia Cristina de Oliveira Pereira

acp8623@nyu.edu
JJ Jackson
jjj9690@nyu.edu

Wednesday (12/06; 10am-12pm); Thursday (13/06; 6pm-8pm; Friday (14/06 10am-

12pm; 2pm-6pm); Saturday (10am-1pm) - São Paulo, Brazil.

Fieldwork activities.
For this week, I was entitled to look for places to make the exhibition in April 2025. At
first, I created a table and debated with Isadora and some other artists about the most
famous spots in Sao Paulo to present our work. Unfortunately, after several emails, and
calls, we got rejected from most of them. Places such as the MASP, Museum of Modern
Art of Sao Paulo, and IMS, a free art gallery mentioned, have established schedules
until 2026, and are mostly connected with partnered companies that support low-income
and marginalized artists across the country. Therefore, our focus switched into finding
smaller, but still safe places to hold the exhibition. I created a list of 7 art galleries with
open call for exhibitions, and before sending emails, I made sure that I attended the
spots, and would send photos and videos of the places. The venues that made it onto
our shortlist included:

1. Instituto Moreira Salles - Known for its dedication to photography and visual
arts, IMS offers a serene and intimate setting perfect for contemplative
exhibitions.
2. Tomie Ohtake Instituto - A cultural center named after the renowned Japanese-
Brazilian artist, known for its striking architecture and vibrant exhibitions.
3. Cultural de São Paulo - Located in the heart of the city, this cultural center hosts
a diverse range of artistic events and exhibitions, making it a hub for local
creatives.
4. Galeria Verve - A contemporary art gallery that prides itself on showcasing
cutting-edge works by emerging and established artists alike.
 5. Galeria HOA - A boutique gallery known for its innovative approach to curating
exhibitions that challenge conventions and provoke thought.
6. Usina Luis Maluf (ULM) - Situated in a historic building, ULM offers a unique
blend of nostalgia and modernity, making it an intriguing choice for our exhibition.

Each of these venues was personally visited and evaluated to ensure they meet our
standards of quality and professionalism. I documented my visits with photos and
videos, which were later shared with the team to facilitate our decision-making process.

Despite the initial setbacks with larger venues, this experiences led us to prioritize the
best places, where now we are currently negotiating values and availability in the our
best 2 options: Centro Cultural de São Paulo and a Small Karaoke house next to the
main avenue of the city (Avenida Paulista).

Respond to one of the selected topics: Connections and Networking:

Over the past few days, I've had the incredible opportunity to spearhead the search for
a venue to host an art exhibition in Sao Paulo focused on womanhood, in particular by
highlighting the work of non-white, transgender and indigenous women. It's been an
intimidating, but still learning experience with challenges and learning experiences,
particularly in building my professional network within the arts community. When at first I
initially aimed for some of Sao Paulo's most prestigious venues like MASP and IMS, I
faced scheduling conflicts and realized the importance of tapping into smaller, yet
equally impactful galleries. This shift prompted me to connect deeply within the local
arts scene, engaging with artists, curators, and gallery owners to find the perfect space
that aligns with our artistic vision. My most successful strategy for expanding my
professional network has been hands-on engagement. I took the initiative to personally
visit and assess potential venues like Instituto Moreira Salles, Tomie Ohtake Instituto,
and Galeria Verve. These visits not only helped in understanding the logistical aspects
but also forged connections with key stakeholders who share a passion for promoting
diverse artistic expressions. I'm excited about the journey ahead as we move forward in
the exhibition plans and continue to nurture these valuable connections within Sao
Paulo's vibrant cultural landscape.