Alchemy is the title of the new individual Guy Veloso opened last Friday (12:03) at the Image Studio in Rio de Janeiro. The curator is Buzzetti and Claudia Patricia Gouveia. There are 21 images, all made ​​with analog machines (Leica) and slide film (Provia 400 and Ektachrome 100VS), something - face it - rare these days.   The theme of "popular religiosity in Brazil" follows the author's research, which has lasted 15 years. Last year, part of this work was shown at the Festival FotoRio with the exhibition Between faith and fever: portraits, black and white.

Guy Veloso, 40, is a new picture of the exponents of Para, one of the most creative of the country. Member of the photoactive, famous in Bethlehem association founded 25 years ago by Miguel Chikaoka. Guy Veloso has just been invited to join the Pirelli-MASP collection, indicated by his countryman, also a photographer Luiz Braga, Brazil's representative at the Venice Biennale 2009.

For 15 years you've been developing this project with the theme "Brazilian popular religiosity," how it all began?
The interest began much earlier. Since 1989, the great photographer of the Cirio procession of Nazareth, probably the world's largest, with nearly two million people in the streets of Bethlehem But interest was solidified even with the studies done in the second half of the 90 in the interior of Pará and especially with the beginning my travels to the Northeast - pilgrimages Juazeiro (uninterrupted from 1998 until today), Bom Jesus da Lapa (2002 and 2003), Canindé (2002) among others.

At age 40, you are considered one of the exponents of the new picture of Pará, considered one of the most creative of the country. How do you see the rise of photography in the art market of Para in Brazil?
About the art market can not say anything for a simple reason: I'm not into it. To this day I have no gallery representing myself and seeing my pictures with a frequency much lower than needed to sustain my projects and trips.

Besides you, Para four photographers were invited at once to join the Pirelli-MASP Collection of Photography, how it happened?
Dude, that was a great joy. Five once! And all of the same generation, which began almost together. All of the photoactive friends there. Thus, just as last year, regional representatives were invited to suggest names to the board of trustees. The Para Luiz Braga, Brazil's representative at the Venice Biennale, and has covered twice with Pirelli's invitation-MASP, was chosen. He then selected five names on the understanding that it deserved to be in the collection. And to my surprise - and I suppose of all - the five were considered.

Are you a member of the photoactive famous association founded in Bethlehem, 25 years ago by Miguel Chikaoka. How does this association? How was your entry into the photoactive?
I was already a photographer when I joined the photoactive in 1999. I was attracted to volunteer work done by its members, now well known nationally and internationally. The photoactive is a nonprofit association, which does an exemplary job in Bethlehem There is a hotbed of talent in the visual arts. This is not about teaching photography, just as everyone thinks. It is to show that another way to look is possible. It is also free to take vocational courses to the most needy. Holding each year dozens of cultural events in town such as exhibitions, photo-staves, courses, workshops, lectures and symposia. Today, the association is "Culture Points" by MINC.

What are your expectations in exhibiting his work in Rio de Janeiro?
It will be my first solo show works done in color. In all the previous shows, I had total control over the production stages, but now, two excellent curators, Claudia and Patricia Gouveia Buzzetti, chosen and edited the photos for me. And without my interference. It's a different experience at least, of detachment, of sending the work to the world and let go of it. Coincidentally, I've been reading lately Vietnamese Buddhist texts ...

Alchemy - photographs of Guy Veloso
Up to 30.4
Image Studio : Street Pasteur, 453, Urca, Rio de Janeiro - RJ
Tel: +55 21 2541.3314

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