BEM-VINDO (AO RIO) / WELCOME (TO NYC)

Bem-vindo (ao Rio) / Welcome (to NYC) is an artist's book that showcases images of Rio de Janeiro and New York in a complementary dialogue. The book is a product of a long-standing friendship between the artist, Marcos Chaves, and the editor, Maria Lago, who have shared many laughs and experiences while moving between these two distinct geographies. This project establishes the communication between the architectural structures and the natural and cultural formations boasted by these two cities, highlighting not only their similarities but also their differences.

Marcos Chaves' artwork is renowned for its ability to connect different geographies and cultures. In this particular project, the structures and landmarks found in Rio de Janeiro and New York are intertwined through the proximity that is enhanced by the sequential arrangement of images adopted in the book. This result stems from an intense artistic endeavor which is evidenced on every page. The visual memory derives from a perception which is capable of resurrecting details that are all but forgotten, some mundane and others imperceptible, but that take center stage in his cartography of the improbable. The displacement undertaken in the heart of Chaves' photographic practice enables the book to create satires and commentaries on the popular culture that is revealed through the landscapes, streets, and elements that reflect the possible lifestyles in both locations.

Mirroring the collaborative process between the artist and editor, the book is an extension of the conversations that have taken place between them over the years. It is an ode to the affective memories that mark the relevance of these cities in both their trajectories, since the artist and the editor, both natives of Rio de Janeiro, have lived in New York for significant periods, and the idea of this project was born out of both planned and fortuitous encounters. Their familiarity with these two cities was the basis for the development of this book. Fact that is a source of great joy to me, because like Maria Lago, I met Marcos Chaves in 2019, during a visit to New York, when I was privileged to discover the city for the first time through his eyes and guidance, which was soon followed by meetings in Rio de Janeiro.

A cover with a mirrored-paper finish was chosen to emphasize the reflection proposed by the inner pages. Not only is this project limited to mere mirroring, but it also promotes a reflection that arises from the careful observation of these urban scenarios. It is a provocation aimed at the denaturalization of all that is presented before us. An invitation to understand these landscapes separated by more than 7 thousand kilometers, but which meet each other through irony and wit in these photographs.

Aldones Nino, Curator