What do critics have to contribute to the understanding of galpão group’s trajectory?

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to analyze the theater group Galpão based on Frankfurt’s critical theory, more precisely on Adorno and Horkheimer’s concept of Cultural Industry. Galpão group, created in Belo Horizonte twenty-six years ago, set out to resist and question the status quo, performing plays with critical contents, using popular Brazilian folklore and presenting themselves in the streets with the purpose of popularizing the theater art. However, during its trajectory, it was possible to observe some changes in the way of producing their work and searching for sponsorship. With the public’s acknowledgement, Galpão became famous and started to survive on private money. In this context, based on the Cultural Industry concept, it is possible to question if the sponsored art, transformed into merchandise, can be maintained as an instrument of resistance to capitalism. Furthermore, it is also possible to question the pertinence of Adorno and Horkheimer’s theory as an instrument of analysis of the complex market of cultural assets at present.