Rildson and I have been friends for thirteen years, ever since he arrived in Italy from Brazil to teach and spread Brazilian Capoeira.
He is a very cheerful, playful person who can never sit still and can't help coming up with something original. He has countless talents: from martial arts to music, writing and so on…
For a few years now he has been working on a sculpture project, always tied to his homeland, but also to all his passions.
With iron wire, rusty or not — the humblest material he could find, recycled of course — he tells of slavery, music, struggle, dreams, play, but also of the world and social awareness.
He spends many hours bringing his statues to life: some are meant for adults, others for children, some for poets and others for lovers.
We decided to photograph them in the place Rildson loves most: the sea, which also gives meaning to the rust of his wires.
Although it is a magical place, rich in shades and colours, it is not at all easy to keep the sculptures standing.
That's why we had to wade waist-deep into the “refreshing” winter sea.
Of course that wasn't enough: we also had to find other solutions, under the astonished gazes of curious passers-by.
We filled the bases with stones gathered from the seabed and, with every shot, we fought against the waves to keep the statues balanced.
After a sunset spent battling with nature, we managed to bring home some shots.
