Solo, MALDICIDADE 10 

Miguel Rio Branco made this photograph, part of his series "Maldicidade," at an undetermined date. This striking image encapsulates the series' exploration of marginalized communities, likely in Brazil, and their complex relationship with urban spaces. The photograph creates meaning through its provocative visual codes. The subject's elaborate, gilded attire clashes with the somber, utilitarian background, highlighting the tension between fantasy and reality. The use of gold can be seen as a reference to the opulent traditions of Brazilian Carnival while also alluding to the economic disparities that affect many of its participants. Rio Branco's work often engages with socio-political issues. Here, we might ask, does the image critique the objectification of bodies within certain performance contexts? Is it challenging the norms of gender expression in Brazil? Understanding such images requires us to consider how the artist's vision intersects with the lived experiences of his subjects. Research into the socio-economic conditions of urban Brazil and the cultural history of Carnival could shed more light on Rio Branco's work.