This image above was a part of a Funk exhibition in the Contemporary Art Museum of Rio de Janeiro. I went to see the Funk exhibit on the second to last day that it was available in Rio in March, 2025.
I was stunned by this exhibit. I had a feeling that I would love it, but I didn’t think that I would love it that much! There was so much to take in. The artifacts above are two images that were a part of four image collections. In the background of each image you can see favelas. Both of the images are depicted as if they were taking place in the favela.
Favelas are shantytowns that are in the hillsides of Brazilian cities. They have a very complex history, going back to the abolition of slavery in 1888. Brazil was one of the last countries to abolish slavery. Once they did, free Afro-Brazilians were left with no resources or support to integrate into society. They retreated to the hillsides of cities, like Rio de Janeiro, when they were still developing. At the time of my viewing of the Funk exhibition, I had acquired some knowledge on the histories of favelas in my Brazilian History class. It made sense to me why each image possess a strong Afro-Brazilian presence. The majority of favela populations are of Afro and Indigenous descent.
Favela culture is very romanticized on social media. The origin of Brazilian Funk music, which is very globalized at this point, comes from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro specifically. They host massive Bailes– massive block parties in the streets near the entrance of the favela, generally at the bottom of a large hill. On the surface, Bailes appears fun: there are massive speakers in the middle of the street blasting loud music. Everybody’s dancing and the energy is high; however, Bailes are also a source of narco-trafficking, which favela economies depend on. There are traficantes – gang-members– dancing while pointing their rifles up in the air.
The favelas possess a lot of duality. That’s what I see in these images. Simply put, life in the favelas is far from easy. Residents do not have access to basic government services, like electricity or water. There is also a lot violence in the favelas via mega police operations and rivalries between gangs that run protection rackets and the local economies. At the same time, favelas produce so much culture. Whether that be in the form of Brazilian Funk music, or in the fashion, the culture of the favela is very well known throughout Brazil. The sunglasses in the artifact are symbolic of favela street style.
To me, this artifact depicts the duality perfectly. The two figures stand strong with what appears to be strength and confidence. They are not smiling, but remain rather firm. There are stories behind their faces. The hillsides of the favelas symbolically linger in the background behind each image. The moment is captured perfectly. There is so much life within each person, but also in the environment around them.
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