Contemporary Brazil: Symposium and Film Concert

The symposium programme features talks and panels discussions with visiting curators and artists from Brazil, exploring the breadth of contemporary photographic practice and important curatorial projects in the country. Speakers will include both of the artists currently commissioned by the V&A – Rosângela Rennó and Jonathas de Andrade – alongside musician/composer Homero Basílio, who collaborates with de Andrade on his film works. 

The symposium will be followed by a special screening of three of de Andrade’s short films, with their soundtracks performed live at the V&A by Basílio and musicians Antonio José do Rego Barreto Filho and Emerson Rodrigues da Silva.

De Andrade’s commission project, ‘Jangadeiros’, is currently on view in ‘Photography Now’, the V&A Photography Centre’s contemporary displays. Rennó’s commission will be on public display from autumn 2027.

Full programme:
 3pm-6pm: Symposium 
 
 Talks and panel discussions with visiting curators and artists from Brazil, including Thyago Nogueira, Jonathas de Andrade, Homero Basílio, Rosângela Rennó and Daniele Queiroz dos Santos.

6:00pm-6:15pm: short break

6:15pm-7:30pm: Film Concert, featuring screenings of ‘Jangadeiros e Canoieros’ (Rafters and Canoers, 2025, 15 minutes), ‘Jogos Dirigidos’ (Directed Games, 2019, 26 minutes), and ‘Olho da Rua’ (Out Loud, 2022, 25 minutes) with live performance of soundtracks. 

Please note that this event runs across the afternoon and evening. Attendance for the full day is not required. A single ticket provides access to the entire programme, and you are welcome to attend as much or as little of the event as your schedule allows. 

This event is part of the UK-Brazil Season of Culture, and is supported by the Embassy of Brazil to the UK. The UK/Brazil Season of Culture 2025-26 is a year-long cultural exchange between the two countries that showcases the diverse and vibrant arts sectors of both nations. It marks 200 years of diplomatic relations and is designed to strengthen and build cultural connections between the UK and Brazil. It is a joint initiative between the British Council and Brazil’s Instituto Guimarães Rosa (IGR). The artistic programme across both countries encompasses theatre, film, visual arts, dance, music and literature and features a series of talks and academic conferences.