Empossamento #8 2003

Curator: This is Mauro Restiffe's "Empossamento #8," a black and white photograph. It’s part of a larger series capturing moments of political transition in Brazil. Editor: Stark. That severe architectural backdrop dwarfs the figures in the foreground. It speaks volumes about power, but also about alienation. Curator: Restiffe focuses on Brasilia's architecture as a stage for these events. The city itself, designed to project power, becomes a character in the narrative. Editor: Yes, the buildings seem to oversee those tiny figures, like a constant reminder of institutional control. It raises questions about who really benefits from these displays of power. What is the public role? Curator: Exactly. He highlights the visual language of political ceremonies and how these spaces shape the perception of authority. Editor: It leaves me pondering the relationship between citizens, the state, and the built environment, and the images that solidify these hierarchies. Curator: A very incisive question that this piece certainly invites. Editor: A powerful photograph to be sure.