Mário Pedrosa and Geometrical Abstraction in Brazil: Towards a Non-dogmatic Constructivism

Abstract

On several occasions in his writings, the Brazilian critic Mário Pedrosa (1900-1981) commented the fact that usually he was considered as a radical defender of the called "concrete" and "constructive" art. This self-defence often seemed to be made in jest, as if the subject was somehow unworthy of attention or useless. "Many people think this critic has a reputation for being sectarian, partisan, political, that he would only tolerate one type of art, usually described as 'non-figurative', 'abstract' or 'Concrete', etc. However he never declared or ratified this publicly." 1 2 The use of quotation marks for "Concrete", "Concretist", "Informel" or "Constructivist" are also recurrent in his writings, to underscore his distrust of labels and over-dogmatic positions in art. Though it was questionable, this reputation was not altogether without foundation.