Solo, MALDICIDADE 7 

Editor: Here we have Miguel Rio Branco's photograph, "Solo, MALDICIDADE 7." It's incredibly textural. The fractured, ice-like elements on the ground really contrast with that darker, smoother surface on the left. What can you tell me about the story this image is telling? Curator: It strikes me as a deeply symbolic work, reflecting on fragility and social disruption. The shattered pieces on the ground, evocative of broken glass, become metaphors for societal fragmentation and the violence often embedded within urban landscapes. Rio Branco's focus on marginalized spaces allows us to contemplate how physical environments reflect larger socio-political wounds, especially when related to identity. Where do you feel this piece places the viewer in terms of perspective and emotional response? Editor: I feel like an observer, distanced but also implicated because of the intimacy of the shot – the cropping, the details, it makes me want to investigate. The presence of feet also draws me in. Curator: Exactly. The photograph implicates us as viewers. The composition, with its contrasting textures and use of light and shadow, intensifies the sense of unease, while also highlighting the precariousness of existence for those who are literally and figuratively walking on broken glass. Do you think this precariousness has social roots? Editor: Absolutely, it feels like there is a statement being made on class disparity and social mobility in the space. I noticed this image is part of a series – "MALDICIDADE". How does the series name impact this piece for you? Curator: That’s a keen observation. "MALDICIDADE", meaning "cursed city," intensifies the reading. It points towards a larger commentary on urban decay, alienation, and the systemic issues impacting those who inhabit these spaces. It’s no longer just a picture, but an assertion of socio-economic struggle in the urban core. Editor: I hadn’t considered that phrase carrying so much meaning. It’s given me so much to think about when analyzing photography that comments on urban life. Curator: I agree; understanding the power dynamics within Rio Branco’s work creates awareness, sparking a desire for tangible change.