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In this short essay, art critic Rodrigo Naves writes about his experience as the editor of Novos Estudos. The author remembers the dilemmas that Cebrap had to deal with, describes the meetings of the Editorial Board and reflects about the challenges faced by Novos Estudos during late 80's and early 90's. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing the painting "Caipira picando fumo", this article analyses the work of the Brazilian painter Almeida Júnior (1850-1899). The author discusses the way the artist used to depict the social environment, nature, human types and regional particularities. Further on, he puts into question the idea of nationality in Junior's work, which is best understood if seen against the framework of theories such as the naturalist determinism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mira Schendel's oeuvre is undoubtedly one of the most significant productions of Brazilian modern art. Nevertheless, many of its aspects put it in a very singular position with regard to decisive features of the 20th century's visual production. Its discreet and non-ostensive appearance, the delicate forms, that do not impose themselves to materials, and small formats distinguish her work from some of her main influences: constructivists, Miró and Klee. For Schendel, works of art should generate an experience contended in the present, instead of projecting perception to an utopian, future time. This concern explains the need in her work of a practice of the world, through which one can better understand her attention to various materials and techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1997 the work of the Brazilian artist Laura Vinci has gained a crucial impetus. Her installations raise new issues on nature's experience. They show particular traces that distinguish them from the production of other important contemporary artists from Europe and the United States, like Joseph Beuys, Pier Paolo Calzolari, Walter de Maria and Michael Heizer. In Laura Vinci's works, nature is revealed as both the place of harmonious relations and the crossing point of wild and expansive forces. They clarify as well question many specificities of Brazilian way of intervening in the world, with its ambiguities and impasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]