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Dear Language Enthusiast,
Welcome to the Japanese Monthly, the Internet
newsletter from Transparent Language. This is the final issue
in our three-part series looking back on some of the most notable
people, events, and accomplishments of the 20th century. This month,
we take a look at Latin American artists, writers, and filmmakers
who helped shape our view of the 20th century.
Sincerely,
Transparent Language
www.transparent.com
In English:
Throughout history, art has inspired, soothed and called people to
action. Twentieth century art is no different. Therefore, this
month's newsletter is a review of some of the literary, artistic
and cinematographic figures from Latin America who have shaped
culture through their expression.
Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is one of Mexico's most famous female
artists. She did not always aspire to be an artist, however.
Only after a serious bus accident when she was eighteen did
she begin to teach herself to paint. Now, she is internationally
respected for her self-portraits, which use brilliant colors.
One of Kahlo's earliest supporters was her husband, Diego Rivera
(1886-1957), a trained artist whose dramatic murals are said to have
revived fresco painting in Latin America. His murals are also noted
for their bold use of color, but unlike his wife's personal portraits,
his work focuses on depicting broad themes in Mexican history.
Chile's Pablo Neruda (1904-1973) is considered one of the world's
greatest love poets. His given name was Neftalí Ricardo Reyes
Basoalto, but it is speculated that he wrote and published under
the pseudonym Pablo Neruda to avoid criticism from his father,
who had always discouraged him from writing. He was awarded the
Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. Another Chilean poet,
Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957) was the first Latin American
woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, which was awarded
to her in 1945. While Mistral's poems reflect her passion for
human causes, they were not the only way that she served her
community. She also acted as an educator, cultural minister and
diplomat to various European countries.
Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel García Márquez are perhaps the two
writers who have brought Latin American literature into the global
limelight. Borges (1899-1986) was from Argentina and is best known
for the treatment of time in his writing. Like Frida Kahlo, a nearly
fatal accident stimulated an exceptionally creative period in Borges'
life in which he primarily wrote stories. García Márquez (b. 1928)
began his career as a journalist in Colombia, and has since established
himself as a novelist and short story writer. His work is best known
for its style, magic realism, which combines reality and fantasy.
He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.
Brazilian novelist Jorge Amado (b. 1912) began his literary career
at the age of twenty with the publication of is first novel. Most
of his novels depict the city life of the lower classes in Bahia,
and often reflect his communist ideology. Much of his work satirizes
the Brazilian government, which imprisoned him in 1935 and banned
his books due to his leftist activities.
Walter Salles, most recently honored for his film about life in
Brazil, "Central do Brasil" ("Central Station"), is one of
Brazil's most acclaimed directors. He began as a documentary
filmmaker in 1986, focusing on social issues in Brazil and the
search for an identity, both national and individual.
He continues to address the same issues in his narrative films, as
seen in "Central Station," which tells the story of an orphaned boy's
relationship with a woman who writes letters for the illiterate in
Rio's Central Station.
Whether giving voice to silent segments of the population, taking
readers or viewers on a fantasy ride or both, Latin American writers,
artists, and filmmakers have made a lasting impact on twentieth century
culture. Their contributions are vast and varied and cannot be
summarized briefly, but I hope that you've enjoyed this cultural
journey through the artistic movements of Latin America in recent
history.
Sources:
www.britannica.com
www.britannica.com/bcom/magazine/article/0,5744,260501,00.html
www.indiewire.com
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