Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro! August 11, 2009
Posted by Georgete in Art, Brazil, Photography, Point of view, black-and-white photos, travel.2 comments
I just got back to Chicago from my trip to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil. I spent almost two weeks there and took lots of pictures. Here is my first one: The Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), Rio de Janeiro.
Built in 1931, the statue was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and it stands 30 metres (98 ft) wide and 38 metres (120 ft) tall with its pedestal. It is located at the peak of the 700 metres (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. It is one of the tallest of its kind in the world.
Yep, the view of the city from the top of Corcovado is gorgeous!
Cristo Redentor by Georgete
Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro by Georgete
Hearts April 22, 2009
Posted by Georgete in Brazil, Music, Photography, Photos, Point of view, Relax.6 comments
Here is a set of pictures that I recently took in Mackinaw City, MI, wrapped up in slide-show format. When I saw the snow melting into heart-shapes and the solitude of this small city going through another long winter, I couldn’t help it. I immediately associated the whole look and feel with one of my favorite songs ever: Corsário, composed by João Bosco and Aldir Blanc and interpreted by Milton Nascimento. What a great combination!
Yep, two “tropical hearts” were there to tie it all together; images, song and feelings. Hope you enjoy it as I do. 
It’s Carnival in Brazil. Oba! February 4, 2008
Posted by Georgete in Brazil, Have Fun, People, Photography.2 comments
Santa Fe and Salvador: Two cities in black and white January 7, 2008
Posted by Georgete in Brazil, Life, People, Photography, Point of view, Thoughts, Videos, black-and-white photos, travel.add a comment
Two years ago I went to New Mexico to attend one of the Santa Fe’s Photographic Workshops. If you haven’t had a chance to visit Santa Fe, think about it. The landscape and local residents will enchant you. I bet you will not regret waking up at 5 a.m. to take pictures at the Plaza. The natural light is unbelievable and you will find many surrounding buildings that stand just as they did during colonial Spanish times.
But what really blew my mind was meeting people that still live in a hippie-lifestyle. Particularly the ones I met in Madrid, a former coal mining center that was restructured as an art colony in the 70’s. They reminded me of “Novos Baianos,” a Brazilian band that shook the entire country in 1969 with their irreverent way of life and music. Most importantly, they were part of a cultural movement known as “Tropicalismo,” which many of its artists were driven by socially aware lyrics and political activism.
The Military Dictatorship
The “Tropicalismo” emerged at one of the most difficult times in the Brazilian history: the military dictatorship. Yep, from 1964 to 1985, all presidents were chosen by a military junta. As you can imagine, repression and censorship dramatically impacted all forms of artistic and political expressions. Many teachers, politicians, musicians, artists and writers were investigated, arrested, tortured or exiled from the country.
Naturally, “freedom” became vital and it was expressed in colorful clothes, long hair, mixed rhythms and through the living-in-community concept. Located in the state of Bahia, the beach of Arembepe was one of the most popular hippie communities in Brazil in those days. It was also the home of “Novos Baianos,” which new lifestyle was reflected in many of songs that become classics of the Brazilian popular music later on.
Illustration: Santa Fe 2005 and Salvador 1970
In an attempt to illustrate my vision of what both cities (Santa Fe and Salvador) have in common — despite of being almost four decades apart –, I’ve put together a slide show using the pictures I took in NM (2005) and public images of Salvador and Novos Baianos’ members. To watch the video, click on the arrow below.
By the way, I am proud of the fact that Brazil has been a true democracy since 1985. Viva!
You know those moments you wish you had a camera? January 2, 2008
Posted by Georgete in Brazil, People, Personal, Photography, Point of view, Trips, black-and-white photos, travel.4 comments
YES! This was one of those moments and, thank God, I had my camera with me. I took this picture last Christmas in Brazil, one of the most tender seconds I’ve ever had a chance to witness and capture with my camera.
Thich Nhat Hanh says on his book “Going Home. Jesus and Buddha as Brothers,” that Christmas and New Year’s are opportunities for us to go home. In Asia, the Lunar New Year is considered a time for people to go back to their families and roots. It’s an occasion for them to see each other again after some time of being apart.
This is not different in Brazil and neither for many people around the world (I bet) regardless all cultural differences. We all have special dates when we travel to get together with those we estimate most.
Hope you’ve enjoyed your holidays and benefited from getting connected with your family members and friends. By the end of the day, this is what really matters.
