Nude
Galeria Fortes Vilaça and Galeria Bergamin are pleased to present the group show Nudes. With works by 57 artists in various languages, the exhibition uses the “nude” as a connecting point between contemporary art and modern art. The selection of artworks identifies reinterpretations of the drawing of live models, references to art history and to a recurrence of the pose – as a sign of proportion and harmony, a political attitude or a strategy for seduction. Another important aspect is the relation between the formal interest in the nude and the discourses concerning gender, fragility, and the fragmentation of the body.
At Galeria Fortes Vilaça the emphasis is on the erotic segment, with outstanding artworks that include Fernanda Lima – Rio de Janeiro, 2004, a photo by Mario Testino in which the actress appears entirely nude, and Censura [Censored], 1970, by Farnese de Andrade, a drawing in which the figures appear in an orgy with red rectangles over their intimate parts. The intersection between different eras takes place in the relation between the paintings Eletric Ladyland, by Luiz Zerbini and A Mulata [Mulatto Woman], by Di Cavalcanti, and also in the recent photos by Marcelo Krasilcic, which recall those by Alair Gomes, taken in the 1970s.
At Galeria Bergamin the focus is on artworks that make reference to historical nudes. In the painting Loverboy, American artist TM Davy appropriates Olympia, 1863, by Edouard Manet, replacing the famous young woman with a nude young male with an erect penis. Alone (Otahi), 2006, by Vik Muniz, is also a contemporary version of an impressionist painting, this time by Paul Gauguin. Another nude is signed by Chaguin, an impressionist painter invented by the Japanese contemporary artists Hiroshi Sugito and Yoshitomo Nara. Other modern vanguard references, artworks from the Renaissance, and even a prehistoric Venus appear in the photos by American photographer Mitch Epstein, in the works by Rio de Janeiro artist Laura Lima and in the sculpture by São Paulo artist Erika Verzutti.
A third group of works deals with fragmentation. In the pieces by the artists Odires Mlázho, Marcos Chaves and Ivan Serpa, and in those by American artist Joshua Callagham, the body appears distorted, duplicated, and even in a state of dissolution.
Nus is a unique opportunity for the public to experience the encounter of works by Brazilian artists from different generations, and by international artists. The show opens the gallery’s calendar of exhibitions for 2009, and will enjoy a long run, until April 4th

Artists list
Adriana Varejão
Alair Gomes
Alex Cerveny
Angus Fairhurst
Anita Malfatti
Carlos Bevilacqua
Carlos Leão
Chagin
Dan McCarthy
Daniel Sinsel
Di Cavalcanti
Dr. Lakra
Edgard de Souza
Efrain Almeida
Erika Verzutti
Ernesto de Fiori
Ernesto Neto
Farnese de Andrade
Flávio de Carvalho
Gerben Mulder
Gil Vicente
Goshka Macuga
Hans Bellmer 
Heitor dos Prazeres
Ismael Nery
Ivan Serpa
Janaina Tschäpe
João Fahrion 
José Damasceno
Joshua Callaghan
Juergen Teller
Julião Sarmento
Laura Lima
Leda Catunda
Luiz Zerbini
Marcelo Krasilcic
Marcos Chaves
Maria Martins
Mario Testino
Martin Soto Climent
Mauro Piva
Mauro Restiffe
Merlin James
Mitch Epstein
Nobuyoshi Araki
Odires Mlászho
osgemeos
Paul McDevitt
Pierre Molinier
Quirino Campofiorito 
Robert Mapplethorpe
Roe Ethridge
Saul Fletcher
Tarsila do Amaral
TM Davy
Tonico Lemos Auad
Valeska Soares
Vik Muniz