In this edition, the Brazilian Pavilion is referred to by the curators as the Hãhãwpuá Pavilion, symbolizing Brazil as an indigenous territory, with ‘Hãhãw’ meaning ‘land’ in the Patxohã language. The name ‘Hãhãwpuá’ is used by the Pataxó to refer to the territory that, after colonization, became known as Brazil, but which has had, and still has, many other names.
The prerogative of the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo to officially represent Brazil in the Biennale di Venezia is the result of a decades-long partnership with the Brazilian Federal Government, which has granted the Fundação Bienal the responsibility of appointing the curators and conceiving and producing the exhibitions, as a recognition of the excellence of its work in the artistic and cultural field. Created with the aim of promoting Brazil’s artistic production in the most traditional art event in the world, the exhibitions take place in the Brazilian Pavilion, designed by Henrique Mindlin and built in 1964.