Fashion Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Part 1: Essa bossa é nossa exhibit. By Glenn Belverio

 

Dear Shaded Viewers,

There are a couple of interesting exhibits at Pier Maua for Fashion Rio and the most colorful is the show of bossa nova album covers. Curated by Charles Gavin, Essa bossa é nossa shows the influence that design had on Brazilian music in the '50s and '60s. Twenty of the covers were designed by Cesar Villela, a prominent graphic designer who was a pioneer at the Elenco record label.

Says Gavin: "It is a theme that has unfortunately been abandoned. A part of our popular music forgotten by everyone. We are very excited about the theme and especially by the presence of Cesar Villela." Yes, thanks a lot imperialistic, bland US/UK pop and annoying rap music. Of course, there are still many connoisseurs of bossa nova music, at least in the States and Europe, and I for one listen to a lot of it at home in New York. (But I'm so old-school, I also listen to Carmen Miranda on a daily basis.)

It's my birthday today (can't believe I'm 31! I'm getting old!) but I have a bit of a head cold (thanks to the unneccassary over-air-conditioned catwalk venues) and the weather has been gloomy since I've arrived. But I'm going to go for a walk along Copacabana beach now, imagining the good vibes of these album covers.

Beijos,

Glenn Belverio