Brasília, 7/25/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday the president of the São Paulo Biennial Foundation, Manoel Francisco Pires da Costa, met with minister of Culture, Gilberto Gil, to report on Brazil's participation in the Venice Biennial and other future events.

Brazil was represented at Venice by the photographer, Rosângela Rennó, and the artist, Beatriz Milhazes. According to Costa, in spite of the modest presence, there was critical acclaim by specialists for the Brazilians and their exhibition became a reference point at the event.

Costa also discussed the V International Biennial of Architecture and Design which begins on September 14 in São Paulo, and invited the minister to attend the opening. The event this year will focus on "The Metropolis," and examine various urban centers. São Paulo is one of them, along with London, New York, Johannesburg and Beijing.

According to Costa, such events are important for Brazil because art is always interactive. They create better international relations through culture, he says. And, he adds, culture can translate into international business opportunities. (AB)