The Prelude Exhibition of The First Shanghai Graphic Design Biennale – TopoPoster: International Poster Design Exhibition, after six months (June – December, 2025) of planning and preparation, was successfully held from December 13 to December 22, 2025. As one of the larger-scale exhibitions in recent years featuring an international selection of works in China, it showcased over 300 representative poster designs from 153 influential contemporary designers and studios active in the forefront of the field across 28 countries.

Virei

Virei, a road documentary by Gustavo Imigrante, explores Angola’s rich tapestry of stories, people, and landscapes, centred around the region of Virei. The documentary delves into the connections between Angola and Portugal, seen through the experiences of two renowned Portuguese surfers, Tiago Pires and Joana Schenker, and local surfer Samuel Quintino. It reflects on themes such as development, sustainability, and the dynamics of power that influence the surf industry and tourism in the age of globalisation.

To create the film’s posters, a series of collages were developed using photographs taken by Gustavo during filming. Nearly every image shared by the director seemed to tell its own story, each capable of inspiring a different poster. This process resulted in a main poster showcasing the duality of the landscape with a bold division between earth and sky, symbolising the spirit of the film.

The documentary also features a carefully curated soundtrack, with music by artists like Zé da Lua, Os Kiezos, Duo Ouro Negro, Levis Verky’s, and others, adding a rich layer to the storytelling.

Studio Dobra

João Guedes
José Luis Dias