mini-documentary “Bus Line 144 runs along 170” premiere

PRESS RELEASE 24 May, 2012

The mini-documentary Bus Line 144 runs along 170 premiere in the studio of painter Júlia dos Santos Baptista on 2 & 3 June 2012.

Sparkling Brazilian splendor in Amstelveen

The Brazilian born, Amstelveen based painter, Júlia dos Santos Baptista, will open her studio for the premiere of her mini-documentary, Bus Line 144 runs along 170   which details images from her childhood and the big step she made 12 years ago when she came to live and work in The Netherlands.  Within a few minutes it connects the cultures of Brazil and The Netherlands.  The warmth of the hot Brazilian sun, the deep blue sky above the city of Brasilia, the red earth and ochre savanna all portray the sparkling Brazilian splendor which is evident in Júlia’s work.  Many of Júlia’s paintings can also be seen in her studio at the premiere.

Júlia dos Santos Baptista joins the  growing international art trend amongst artists who combine various types of media to portray personal and social engagements.

Bus Line 144 runs along 170  was recently broadcast by Brazil's largest broadcaster, Globo1, which attracts over 120 million viewers daily. TV Brasília also made a documentary about the painter. Júlia then took the documentary together with her paintings and biography to a primary school in her home city of Brasilia to show the children how important their culture is and how she has interpreted it into her work.  "The discussions with both the children and the teachers were very informative, lively and inspiring for everyone. Brasilia and its satellite cities, have many more cultural and social resources than people thought." says the artist.  The response was so enthusiastic that the school board asked her to present her work to a number of other schools.

In 2010, the work of Júlia dos Santos Baptista reached millions of people when her paintings of the city of Brasilia were depicted on national postage stamps commemorating the 50th anniversary of Brasília as the capital of Brazil. The artist wanted to create awareness amongst the Brazilians of their rich culture and identity. Dos Santos Baptista: "The success of the city and its rapid growth threatens its origin and common identity to disappear. That would be a pity, because its identity is a valuable and binding force between generations and ambitions. A future can be build many times over but a history can only be lost once. "

Paintings by Júlia dos Santos Baptista were exhibited last autumn in Amstelveen at the Keizer Karelweg under the viaduct of the A9  during the European Brazil Festival. In that exhibition the artist combined typical Dutch heritage, such as Delft pottery, with flowers in the tropical colors of her homeland. 

In 2010 she exhibited her paintings in the Jan van de Togt Museum in Amstelveen and in 2007 and 2004 she participated in the triennials in the Cobra Museum of Modern Art in Amstelveen.

Atelierroute Amstelveen 2012

Open studio and Bus Line 144 runs along 170 by Júlia dos Santos Baptista  2 & 3 June from 11:00 to 17:00 on the Van Weerden Poelman Lane 4, Amstelveen.

www.juliadossantosbaptista.com