Gilberto de Assis Collection
Gilberto de Assis was the first dancer of the renowned Mercedes Baptista Company, which is considered an icon in the history of Afro-Brazilian dance (LIMA, 2012).
The still remaining students of Professor Gilberto de Assis, were primary informants for this study, carried out through interviews and dance workshops with these subjects, in addition to the information collected from the collection, witch was donated to the Grafias do Gesto Laboratory after Gilberto's death, where all this material would be discarded by their families.
When analyzing the material we found several photographic records of the company's travels, photos with Mercedes Baptista herself and in addition to the festival trophies we also found the lesson plans applied by Gilberto in renowned Dance schools, such as the classes he offered at the Dance Center. Rio Dance.
collection
In 2012, after Gilberto de Assis' passing, concerned about personal itens he had in his home, due to the risk of disposal by his family, due to disagreements about his religiosity and sexual orientation, some of Assis' students requested that this collection was donated. In possession of this material, they donated it to the Gesture Graphics Laboratory to be researched and preserved
items
The Laboratory began a process of analysis, categorization and digitization of this material, which includes photographs, newspaper clippings, study booklets, notes, awards/trophies. It is urgent that this cultural legacy, of utmost value for national dance, be researched and conserved, confirming the importance of the project because it aims to preserve our memory, affirming the social and historical role of the Public University