Favela Estrela
Favela Estrela is an art project that took place in Rocinha, the largest of the approx 1000 favelas in Rio de Janeiro, home to over 70,000 residents. The project highlights the many challenges faced by children in these communities as they strive to realize their dreams and ambitions.
The first part of the project took place at Oficina do Sucesso, a local school within the Rocinha favela. This social initiative offers children opportunities to acquire vital skills, empowering them to confront challenges and work toward achieving their goals.
I asked the children a simple question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" With paper and colored pencils in hand, they were encouraged to freely express their dreams. The range of responses was inspiring, from aspiring to become a football player for the local Flamengo team, to dreams of being a teacher, doctor, veterinarian, and even one child wishing to become the Pope.
Afterward, each child attached their drawing to a balloon. Before releasing the balloons into the sky, I asked them to close their eyes and envision themselves living their dream, imagining a future where their aspirations could become reality.
The second part of the Favela Estrela project features a series of photographs of the Rocinha favela, which is built upon the steep hillsides of Rio de Janeiro. The favela is contrasted with the iconic Cristo Redentor. The statue, with its back turned to Rocinha, symbolizes the physical and socio-economic divides that separate the city’s communities.
Central in the photo is the Favela Estrela (‘the Favela star’), which is not an actual star but symbolizes a fired bullet, visually resembling a shooting star. This bullet is depicted heading toward the balloon, a representation of a child’s dream striving to rise above the favela. It reflects how the favela itself, with all its systemic struggles such as poverty, stigma, discrimination, and (in certain favelas) violence, continually threatens to "shoot down" these aspirations, pulling them back and making it even harder for dreams to take flight.
Ultimately, Favela Estrela seeks to shine a light on these divides while celebrating the resilience and dreams of those striving to overcome them.
