|
Lito Cavalcante was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1926 to a family of artists and musicians. He apprenticed in the art world as a young boy and grew to become a well known painter and sculptor. Educated in art and engineering in Brazil, France, Germany and Czechoslovakia, Lito took a six year break, living in the Amazon with the Xangu Indians. He emerged from the experience with a deep concern about the complexities of technology. Submitting to the simplicity of the Xangu ways, Lito felt deep changes that marked the essence of his work. Their existence demonstrated a simple way of understanding nature: feeling when it’s going to rain, when the sun is going to come, feeling the presence of prey and so on."When I returned to civilization" Lito said, "I could feel clearly the contradictions between man and himself." Ever conscious of the threat that progress can make on mankind, Lito set out to humanize technology.
|
|
In 1959 Lito was appointed professor of sculpture at the Federal University in Rio de Janeiro where he was responsible for creating the discipline of art and technology. This quickly became the basis of a new concept in teaching methods throughout South America. "I will treat my students with care and am concerned not to damage their spontaneity with any false ideas. I try to teach what the artist has been through time and his attitude through art. I don’t suggest themes or techniques. I do try to awaken in them a main interest in self realization and not to mix frustrations with creative sensitivity in art". These are some of Lito's quotes. |
 |
|