Ateliê397: A Space of Innovation and Resilience in Brazilian Contemporary Art
Co-founded in 2003 in São Paulo by Bruna Battistini (then known as Bruna Costa), Silvia Jabalí, and Rafael Campos Rocha, Ateliê397 began as a network of personal studios on Rua Wizard 397 in Vila Madalena. Connecting their studios through a shared corridor, the founders transformed the space into an experimental hub for dialogue, collaboration, and an alternative approach to the local art scene.
Between 2003 and 2005, Bruna Battistini co-curated, alongside Silvia Jabalí and Rafael Campos Rocha, several notable exhibitions at Ateliê397, including:
Horizontes de Eventos by Wagner Malta Tavares
Vôo by Vanderlei Lopes
Miolo de Quadra by Tatiana Ferraz
Sonho Meu by Hélio Melo, Clark Ferguson, and James Prior
Atavio by Tatiana Blass
Cerca by Ana Paula Oliveira
Sonho by Fabiana Queirolo
Peso Líquido by Patricia Pisanelli
Under the later guidance of curator Thais Rivite, Ateliê397 relocated while maintaining its original spirit, continuing to serve as a vibrant platform for artistic experimentation. The space remains a living organism, fostering emerging and established artists alike, and asserting its important role in shaping contemporary art not only in São Paulo but throughout Brazil.