Vicente de Mello Exhibition Opens at CCBB in Rio de Janeiro

By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Beginning on August 26th, the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil Rio de Janeiro (CCBB) will host “Ultramarino” (Ultramarine), an exhibition of the works by Vicente de Mello. Continuing through September 28th, the exhibition will be the third in the Prêmio CCBB Contemporâneo (CCBB Contemporary Award) series.

For the “Ultramarino” exhibition, four walls of a 141m2 space in the CCBB will be covered in one repeating image produced by de Mello. Entitled, “Átomo Jacaré,” the image is meant to represent the world under water.

During the exhibition, LED lights suspended from the ceiling in the center of the space will cycle from off to blue to magenta in color and sweep around the exhibition’s walls, creating a lighthouse or headlight effect.

The idea of the repetition of the images combined with the lights is to simulate a nautical atmosphere and cause the viewer to question their position within the exhibition.

Born in São Paulo, Vicente de Mello studied Social Communication at Universidade Estácio de Sá and Art and Architecture History at Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio). In addition to Rio de Janeiro, de Mello’s works have been displayed in solo exhibitions in Brasília and Porto, Portugal and featured in group exhibitions in Curitiba, São Paulo, Salvador, Havana, Cuba, and New York. He currently lives and works in Rio de Janeiro.

There will be an opening event for guests on Tuesday, August 25th and the exhibition will open to the public on Wednesday, August 26th. Viewing hours will be from 9AM to 9PM Wednesdays through Mondays through September 28th. For more information see de Mello’s website and the CCBB website.

What: Vicente de Mello’s exhibition, “Ultramarino”
When: August 26th through September 28th. Open Wednesdays through Mondays, 9AM to 9PM.
Where: CCBB Rio de Janeiro, Rua Primeiro de Março 66, Centro
Entrance: FREE