Dear Language Enthusiast,
Welcome to the Chinese 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 he wrote and published under
the pseudonym Pablo Neruda; some speculate that he did so
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 in
which 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 his
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
qjourney 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
