Luis Fernando Verissimo's painting vandalized again in Porto Alegre

A painting by Luis Fernando Verissimo was attacked by another vandalism on Saturday (23), in Viadoto Ottavio Rocha, in Porto Alegre. Work is part of the show compositions, which integrates version 67 of Book Fair. While restoring the original work, this time the damage was caused by a clone that was temporarily placed in the gallery.

This is the second time the work has been sabotaged. The first occurred on the previous Sunday (17). At the time, artist and curator Graça Craidy decided not to report it, and took the original painting for restoration. According to painter Gustavo Burckhardt, the recovery of the work is advanced, the pieces are glued and the illustration is already removed from the frame [suporte onde a pintura é colocada].

But this time the incident was registered with the civilian police. A combination of glue and vinyl coating was dumped onto the original. This, he said, should not be recovered.

Burckhardt considers that this is not a simple act of sabotage, but that it can have political implications.

“It seems like something in that sense, that has a political effect, an ideological thing. Graca He even said that even if it was left in pieces, art had done its job. Art serves to obfuscate certain patterns of ignorance, of those who go against art, culture and common sense.”

Gustavo Burckhardt’s original work was cut to honor Luis Fernando Verissimo in Porto Alegre – Photo: Emmanuel Cuadros/Divulgasao

The artist’s goal now is to preserve the original, move it to other venues, such as the Caxias do Sol Book Fair or the Hipólito José da Costa Communications Museum, and make an artistic intervention at the end of the gallery to honor Verissimo.

He adds, “We are thinking of reciting some texts on Saturday (30). We try to be as positive as possible so as not to let her down.”

Book fair may be out of cover due to lack of sponsorship

Verissimo is part of the group 26 writers Pictured from Rio Grande do Sul Paintings displayed in the gallery On Avenida Borges de Medeiros, a tourist area in the historical center of the capital. Among those honored are names such as Erico Verissimo, Mario Quintana and Lya Luft. (see list below)

The open-air exhibition, directed by Marcos Monteiro, has been around since 2018. The exhibition runs until October 31, two days after the book fair began.