"A uva e a engrenagem de bronze" : uma leitura da arte numismática de Bruno Segalla

Abstract

This thesis aims to analyze the image representations by Bruno Segalla (1922 – 2001), a plastic artist, militant and metalworker from Caxias do Sul (RS, Brazil), in part of his numismatic collection, which includes the medals minted in bronze, within a special theme: work ideology. Through image reading, we present the approximations and distances between images and words, as well how the chosen corpus for this analysis can be used as a research source, in bringing back historical aspects of a specific region encompassed by Italian colonization. In addition, to demonstrate the artistic language as a historical source, this study seeks to look at the art of numismatics – science that studies coins and medals. Prior to the images reading, a biography of Segalla is written, illustrating his trajectory as a labor rights’ militant, a characteristic that is expressed in his works. Segalla’s histories as artist, metalworker, and activist are merged with the history of Caxias do Sul/RS, passing by cultural events, like the Festa Nacional da Uva (“National Grape Festival”, in free translation), by the religion, and by the concept of work, which was built from the local narrative about Italian colonization and industrialization.