Gustavo Piqueira mixes fiction, history and design for the launch of his new book “Mateus, Marcos, Lucas e João” and the exhibition “Inanis: iluminuras para o século 21”.
The book presents four different versions of the trajectory of “the one who has come to save us”, and each one is written by one of the characters in its title. But no, this saviour is not Jesus Christ, but instead it is a cellulite cream. And, of course, the four evangelists are also not the same as their namesakes.
As in medieval bibles, the graphic project of the book is opulent and complex, its metal sheet is covered with fake jewels and its pages are filled with contemporary versions of medieval historiated initials, which, instead of biblical scenes, show pictures of people working, traffic jams, fast food, weapons and cell phones, — an ironic, but incisive, portrait of our era.
The initials will also be featured in the exhibition “Inanis – Iluminuras para o século 21”, together with a historical overview of the graphic evolution of the Bible. A limited print run of two posters has also been developed for the launch of the book and the opening of the exhibition.
For access to all content of the project visit the official website,
which features the concept, process and history behind its development:
http://www.casarex.com/mateusmarcoslucasejoao/
About Gustavo Piqueira: At the head of Casa Rex – a design consultancy based in São Paulo and London – Gustavo Piqueira is one of the most awarded designers in Brazil, credited with over 250 international graphic design awards. He has also illustrated children’s books and designed typefaces. As an author, he has published 15 books. His most recent projects include the mashup of fictitious reports combined with real images in ‘Iconografia Paulistana’ (WMF Martins Fontes); Brazilian Clichés (Ateliê Editorial), visual narrative which tells Brazilian history through old letterpress clichés; Seu Azul (Lote 42), a kind of ‘book-performance’ due to the sand that lines its cover and falls off during its reading experience; and the children’s book Odisseia de Homero (segundo João Vítor) (Editora Gaivota) a crazy analysis of the adventures of Ulysses from the point of view of a student. For more information on his design projects: www.casarex.com; for his books: www.gustavopiqueira.com.br
BOOK LAUNCH AND EXHIBITION OPENING
The launch of the book “Mateus, Marcos, Lucas e João” and the opening of the exhibition “Inanis – Iluminuras para o século 21” (Inanis: Illuminated initials for the 21st century) took place on Wednesday 29th October and will last until 27 February 2015 — Free entry.
Venue: Livraria João Alexandre Barbosa bookstore / BNDES room of the Biblioteca Brasiliana Guita e José Mindlin library. Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, 78, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, Brazil.
* The first 100 buyers will receive an exclusive limited edition poster.
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