Bárbara Wagner (1980) is a Brazilian photographer who in her work explores the
issues of periphery, self-representation and exoticism in the context of
cultural globalization.
The ‘work in progress’ displayed at DSM shows her research on social
stereotypes in local cultural communities that she photographed in the cities
of Recife (Brazil), Guangzhou (China) and Sittard (the Netherlands). In their
daily lives her subjects go beyond – and defy – the cultural canons of beauty,
behavior, happiness, civility and welfare.
Taking part in the Residence Programme of the Made in Mirrors Foundation,
Bárbara traveled to Guangzhou and Sittard to observe how local cultural
communities deal with these issues. This was in fact a continuation of her
project Brasília Teimosa, developed in one of the most vibrant suburbs of
Recife. In Guangzhou, Wagner explored the clichés of wedding photography as
consumed by the emerging middle class, while in Sittard she developed an essay
on urban trailer park residents.
The MIM series is made possible by the Made in Mirrors Foundation. Made in
Mirrors is an international cooperation between art institutions in the
regions of Pernambuco (Brazil), Guangdong (China), Limburg (Netherlands) and
Cairo (Egypt), a private art patron and DSM. Our goal is to create an
environment where cultural identities mirror themselves in each other through
creative and artistic exchange.
The MIM series will be exhibited at DSM’s Head Office in Heerlen (Netherlands)
until 31 October 2009.
The Brasília Teimosa series will feature on billboards throughout the center
of Sittard during the Brazilian Summer exhibition at Museum Het Domein, which
will be held until 13 September 2009.
