Museums
Porto Alegre, Brazil
"Pegada Africana" by artist Vinícius Vieira is installed at Praça da Alfândega. Photo: Kin Viana
There’s something unique about the Museu do Percurso do Negro in Porto Alegre: the museum invites visitors to map out a path through the city’s historic downtown in order to see the works from its collection, which are installed at key points for the social and cultural memory of Africans and their descendants. Visitors can choose their preferred route, but are suggested to start with “Tambor”, in Praça Brigadeiro Sampaio, since it is a collective work and is located at the first black landmark of Porto Alegre. Afterwards, visitors can make their way to the Public Market to visit the “Bará do Mercado”, passing by “Pegada Africana” in Praça da Alfândega, and finally “Painel Africano” at Largo Glênio Peres. The concept of the museum was developed collectively by the local black community, with the intention of reviving the city’s landmarks of African origin, which were gradually being erased, turning black men and women historically invisible. In addition to the works of art, the museum also organizes talks and discussions with the local community.
www.museudepercursodonegroemportoalegre.blogspot.com