Books in the Studies on Latin American Art series

"Through the close study of works by select artists, including Gego, Otero, and Djanira, Kaira M. Cabañas constructs a true genealogy of the art of Latin America through--to use her own very precise expression--immanent vitalities, questioning and reformulating its supposed specificity in a truly fascinating way."--Manuel Borja-Villel, Director, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid "Cabañas is a vigorous voice in modern art history, and this book, with its theoretical edge, asks crucial questions not only about art history but also about identity, power, and modern alienation through its trailblazing analysis of Latin American cultural expressions. Bringing together her knowledge of world art and history, Cabañas instills new vitality into our understanding of our uncanny world."--Serge Guilbaut, author of How New York Stole the Idea of Modern Art: Abstract Expressionism, Freedom, and the Cold War "With characteristic brilliance and clarity, Cabañas demonstrates the value of the new materialisms for art history--and vice versa--through incisive analyses of modernist and contemporary artistic practices in, of, and from Brazil and Venezuela. This theoretically rigorous study will resonate in disciplinary and interdisciplinary conversations alike."--Jennifer Josten, author of Mathias Goeritz: Modernist Art and Architecture in Cold War Mexico "Cabañas offers a welcome counterpoint to the superficial assimilation of complex philosophical discussions, building her category of 'immanent vitality' from a theoretically informed (but not determined) reading of art from the last seven decades. Her book functions as a manifesto for the epistemological actuality of art history."--Sérgio B. Martins, author of Constructing an Avant-Garde: Art in Brazil, 1949-1979

"Nelson provides a groundbreaking account of Brazilian theories and practices of abstraction. By detailing how the emerging museums, biennials, artists, art collectives, and art press maneuvered across the political chessboard of the mid-century, Forming Abstraction offers a major contribution to the oft misunderstood role of abstraction in the art and politics of the Cold War."--Esther Gabara, author and curator of Pop América, 1965-1975 "Nelson brings new archives, actors, and objects to light in this deeply researched study of post-war abstraction and institution building in Brazil. She reveals the political stakes of varied approaches to form, reframing the internationalism of concretismo within local debates over technology and progress, citizenship and alterity, and the nation's modernist genealogy."--Mary K. Coffey, Professor of Art History, Dartmouth College"Nelson brings a refreshing new perspective on abstract art in Brazil. Through meticulous research and rich data, she presents an innovative historical understanding of the introduction of abstractionism in Brazilian art, highlighting the cultural discourse defending abstract art and the modern institutions recently created in Brazil. A must-read for anyone interested in Brazilian modern art and art systems!"--Vera Beatriz Siqueira, Professor of Art History, Rio de Janeiro State University