I don't know how to create a representation about memories that isn't visual. I still haven't thought of a way to describe the everyday situations I've been experiencing lately.
Where, after all, does a smile fit into the text?
Every day I see the street vendors who come and go doing their work, and the artists who arrive with poems on recurring themes; they resist by fighting against racism, sexism, and for equality through their art, bringing knowledge to the journey, even though many people don't give them credit or attention.
Where do we keep the records of the stories of the lives of people who don't receive the spotlight?
Image 1- Madu Queiroz, personal collection
Image description: The image is a photograph of a crowded train. On the left, two women are seated, one holding a cell phone and the other with a brown bag. In the center, a man seen from behind is carrying a black box and a red bag. Further to the right, a man wearing a blue mask and sunglasses is standing. In the background, other people are spread throughout the train car, some seated and others standing. The ceiling lights are bright, and the interior of the train has a warm tone.But I come here to bring these memories of so many things I learn in the streets of Rio de Janeiro.
An afternoon hanging out at the famous Selarón – a staircase in the neighborhood of Lapa that became not only a tourist spot but also a meeting point for locals – brought me to Bruno: an independent local singer, a musician who plays several instruments, a traveler, and a father passionate about life and art. During this conversation, to the sound of Djavan and Seu Jorge, Bruno told us about various experiences from his life as a musician, stories from his travels, and his greatest motivation: the birth of his son. "I traveled a lot, got to know several countries, had a great time, but when he was born, I discovered my purpose."
He gave us motivation to keep following our talents and to believe that things happen in their own right time, and the day continued to be amazing with two young women dancing to the songs being played, spreading their excitement to everyone.
Image 2 - Madu Queiroz, personal collection
Image description: The image is a photograph of two people dancing in a colorful location. On the left, there is a red wall with mosaics, while on the right, there are stairs decorated with yellow and green tiles. At the bottom of the stairs, there are signs with images and text. On the left, two people are seated, watching the dance. In the background, there is a white building with some people standing.While waiting for the train after a day of classes, I made a friend at Maracanã station -- even though I don't know her name or age, she's a woman I admire greatly.
Black and from the periphery, she had to take on several responsibilities early on, one of them with her sister. She said: "I had already finished school, but then she stopped, she didn't want to do high school, so I said, 'For you to continue, I'll do it with you,' I enrolled and went back to motivate her, I didn't want her to miss the opportunity to get a profession, so for her to study I went along too." She then talked about her years as a teacher, and currently she is self-employed making sweets for parties. Her sister also found something she liked after school and pursued a career.
It was hard for me to imagine someone making that effort for another person; I felt very moved and left thinking about how much we can do to improve someone else's life.
I preserve these memories by carrying with me the inspiration that anonymous everyday people give me. Sharing orally their affective memories, arts, and the motivation for being there. As Marcelo Campos and Amanda Bonan said: "We want to hear the Rio of trains, in cars where there's always room for poets."
Memory is also forgetting, so what do we do to make sure these aren't erased?
Image 3 - Daniel Noé, @danielnoe.jpg
Image description: This is a photograph of a sunset captured through a circular lens, likely from a cell phone. On the left side, we see a person with long hair, wearing a blue shirt and an orange backpack. She is looking down, possibly at someone below her. In the background, there is a road with moving vehicles and a crosswalk. On the right, we see a number of people going up and down the stairs. The sky is filled with scattered clouds, and the sun is setting, giving the scene a golden hue.
