Favela Effects: Brazilian Art at the Intersection of Community Development and Global Markets

'Favela Effects: Brazilian Art at the Intersection of Community Development and Global Markets' investigates the representation of informal housing settlements, or favelas, of Rio de Janeiro, as a crucial facet of contemporary art. I investigate a complement of site-specific and socially-oriented practices based in the favelas in order to consider the shifting value of 'marginality' in the contemporary art world. I trace the global networks of donor agencies, arts biennials, NGOs, curators and art practices through which favela communities are incorporated into the cultural market. I also examine the manner in which artists and community activists re-route these networks to bolster local struggles for rights and resources.