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Denise Fraga stars in an essay inspired by Salvador Dali and surrealism (Photo: Photo: Waldir Evora)
The moment that precedes crying in a smiling face interests Denise Fraga, 57 years old. In this, the artist finds the meaning of her way of making art, which has a sense of humor that leads to deep reflections. According to the actress, this alchemy enables a more possible and conscious life. “You can’t live with the fact that sad feelings are taboo. We need the courage to lift them up and heal our wounds,” he defended in an interview with Vogue.
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Both in the theater, with her monologue “Eu de você”, on tour in Brazil, and in the cinema, with the film “45 do Segundo Tempo”, which premieres on August 18th, the actress goes through this perspective of opposite feelings. In conversation, Denise says that the hallmark of her art is “leaving the public with a flea behind her ear”.
And when she’s the one on the other side, off the screens and on stage, the idea of leaving that peaceful place is welcome too. An example of this was the photo shoot in which he recently starred. The editorial, signed by art director Ale Monteiro, prints an attitude and performance by Denise based on the heritage of Salvador Dali and surrealism.
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The notes mark a period in which the actress observed the impact of time on her life. Far from any romanticizing discourse, Denise respects the signs her face and body bear, but she also does not deny that the process of aging is difficult.
Next, Denise describes her relationship with selfesteem after the age of 50, what her “joy strategy” is and what new career paths she is looking for.
You recently wrote an essay inspired by the work of Salvador Dali and surrealism. How did this idea come about?
It came as a surprise to me as I have done few editorials in my life. The experience was surrounded by creative artists who gave us space to let off steam. The suggestion to take inspiration from Dali and surrealism came from makeup artist Renan Tavarez. And is there anything more surreal than what we are living right now? This theme gave me the freedom to dare and take risks up to the “carão”.
What did art teach you about yourself during this phase?
Every day I am more grateful that I have this craft as an artist, that I have the opportunity to turn fear into beauty. When we are in this state, the creative mind saves us. Ferreira Gullar once said that art exists because life is not enough. Some people think that art is only there to bring relief, but my work, in addition to free time, has that moment of reflection and awareness to understand humanity.
How is your relationship to time and the traces it brings with it?
Aging is not easy. Maturity is beautiful because you already see the cycles and understand impermanence. So you know you have to make the best of everything. But aging goes through a process of body failure that is not easy. I feel that after a while there is no remedy more effective than physical or mental exercise. We need a strategy for seeking joy and caring for conquered friends.
Denise Fraga stars in an essay inspired by Salvador Dali and surrealism (Photo: Photo: Waldir Evora)
What do you usually do to keep your relationships going?
I’m a party person and I love to sing, so once a month I do a samba circle for my friends to scare away the bad guys. For example, this only happens if you mark it on your calendar, which I call a joy strategy. Sometimes I feel lazy but when I go it’s great. We must instill this everyday weariness for our pleasure, just as we seek each other’s happiness.
How do you see aesthetic interventions?
I try not to do anything pushy because I’m afraid of appearing at a different age than I am, of being robbed of myself. On the other hand, I want to be okay with myself. I respect the marks on my body because they carry a story. For example, I have had bags under my eyes since I was a child. When I take it off, I’m afraid that I won’t recognize myself anymore. Aging happens gradually, day by day. The procedure changes everything quickly, so I prefer at most a cream and laser treatments to stimulate collagen.
In August you will return to the cinema with the film “45 of the second half”, which is about friendship. What can the audience expect from this production?
Directed by Luiz Villaça [marido da atriz], my partner in life and in art. The screenplay came about after he saw an article in the newspaper in which they reproduced a photo taken 80 years ago when a subway station opened. The film tells about this friendly relationship, which is strengthened after a special episode. The story is not only funny and moving but also leaves a sense of urgency to call friends.
Has this idea of friendship also changed in your life?
Friends are the chosen family. After so many years of living together, you can develop an even more intimate relationship than you would with a family member. Time has helped me to understand and appreciate these enduring relationships.
His monologue “Eu de você” originated from letters from the public. The audience also plays an active role in the play. can you tell about it
I often approach the audience in this piece. There is a subtle invitation for the audience to play with me, but without having to say a word, the exchange only takes place in the gaze. In these moments I have already wiped someone’s tears because the piece touches us. From letters we received and stitched together with poems by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Paulo Leminski and Clarice Lispector, we return to the public a tragicomedy wrapped in the paper of art and beauty.
Denise Fraga stars in an essay inspired by Salvador Dali and surrealism (Photo: Waldir Evora)
His career has always been marked by a place of experimentation. Is there a path you still want to go?
What has enchanted me lately is singing. The work presented itself to me with this suggestion. In doing so, I understood that part of the decision to sing or not comes from courage. And I’m looking for that courage, so I’ve decided that I want to grow old singing samba and becoming a singing actress.
How do you see the future of the audiovisual sector, considering the change in societal behavior with so many stimuli linked to speed, for example?
I am concerned about this. The advent of technology has made everything very fast. I’ve never used the word cyclone that much in my vocabulary because it feels like I’m constantly in a whirlpool with so many fastpaced stimuli. We are experiencing a crisis of patience where human storytelling will soon be impossible. We must swim against it with exercises to keep the sensitivity sharp. That’s why theater is becoming more and more valuable. In times of sharing, in theatre, we really have a group of people who share the same focus. I also believe that we must make the best use of this technology, such as audiovisual teaching in schools, to work on this aesthetic sense, the vision in front of society.