FROM ORAL TO WRITTEN: a study on Ailton Krenak's books
Translation. Oral. Written. Graphic project. Ailton Krenak.
This master’s thesis aims to study Ailton Krenak’s books published by Companhia das Letras from a bibliography that mainly contemplates two aspects: first, the translation from oral to written and the graphic design of books; second, interviews with four important construction agents: Rita Carelli, organizer; Ricardo Teperman, editor of Companhia das Letras; Alceu Nunes, art director of Companhia das Letras; and Ailton Krenak, the author. To do so, it addresses the author’s formation from the history of the Brazilian Indigenous people and the Krenak people, as well as his journey as an Indigenous leader to the construction of himself as an author and his works. Based on the translation from oral to written, the dissertation includes discussions about indigenous orality based on concepts such as litura and oralitura, as well as on indigenous production that emerges from decolonial forces. These points affect the materiality of Ailton Krenak’s books, which are also treated here regarding the editorial processes that constitute the book as an object, as well as the absorption of indigenous thought from the demand and needs of the market. The analyzes consider aspects of editing, organization and design, the latter explored by the format of the book, the composition of the inside and its covers: composition, typography, and colors.