CCVM opens its new exhibition ZIMAR to the public

Playful, irreverent, scary… With their horrifying faces, they open the performances of traditional groups, assist – or hinder – in the game and play pranks on the audience, all with a unique waddle to the sound of the swaying of a rattle. This is Cazumba, one of the most emblematic characters of Bumba Meu Boi Maranhense.

The figure of Cazumba draws attention due to the numerous details that make up his costume: the tunic or gown embroidered with sequins and beads, or made of calico; the hood that gives the fun roll and is used to store objects; and the grimace, with its hat base, with sewn hair and chin, which frightens and enchants , and it carries with it the signature of those who produce it. Zimar is one of these artists, who imprints his own style on his faces, challenging tradition and enchanting with imagination.

His works make up the new exhibition of the Vale Maranhão Cultural Center, ZIMAR, which will be open to the public this Tuesday, August 16, at 19:00. Altogether, there are 65 caretas de cazumba produced with the most diverse materials. Helmet, PVC pipe, motorcycle fenders, aluminum pans, fan parts, toothbrushes, bicycle tires are some of the artifacts used by the artisan in the creation of the pieces, which are already part of the Cazumba costume of various Bumba Meu Boi groups from the Baixada Maranhão region.

Eusimar Meireles Gomes, Zimar, is a native of the municipality of Matinha, and started making cazumba faces after being injured by a chin he had bought. He then decided to adapt the masks to the shape of his face, providing more comfort. “We can divide Zimar’s work into three phases: the first where he worked well-crafted chins and grimaces in paparaúba wood; the second also in wood, but with smaller features; and the third in which he reappears using various materials. He is part of a group of good face makers, who apply the personal brand as a signature to their works, either through the reuse of ordinary devices or in the expression of the masks made”, explains Jandir Gonçalves, a researcher of popular culture from Maranhão and who signs the curatorship of exhibition together with Reinilda Oliveira and Sergileide Lima.

The exhibition also includes a documentary short film of the same name and unpublished, directed by filmmaker Beto Matuck, especially for the show. The film shows Zimar making faces, while telling about his story, inspirations, and addressing deep issues such as the relationship between life and death. “To expose an artist like Zimar is to recognize culture in its broad sense of origin. He is a great representative of popular artists from Maranhão and his work takes on universal dimensions when it arouses in us feelings common to humans, such as fear, desire, surprise, attraction, and disgust. Freedom of creation is evident, as well as an entire expressive framework that connects to the spheres of ancestry and dream”, highlights Gabriel Gutierrez, director and artistic coordinator of the Vale Maranhão Cultural Center.

ZIMAR will be on display at the CCVM until November 16. The CCVM is located at Rua Direita, nº 149, São Luís Historic Center and is open to the public, free of charge, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.