‘Favela Descending’ is a huge, new multi-screen film work by Gerry Fox, artist and award winning film maker. Shot in one of Rio’s most dangerous and notorious favelas called Mineira, the artist was accompanied during filming by ruling gang members with whom permission to film had been negotiated. The energetic six screen work will take viewers on an all encompassing journey through an otherwise forbidden place.
Favela Descending is an all enveloping installation presented from a hand held camera point of view on a slow descent through the alleyways of Mineira, which is perched atop a steep mountain slope. When exhibited the six large, synchronised screens will form a ‘cube’ allowing the viewer to see the favela from all angles, creating a disorientating and incongruous experience.
Along the way it explores the visual textures of the landscape: the bricks, streams, overhead wires, doorways and graffiti.
The soundtrack is specially created by composer, Ned Bigham sampling only real sounds recorded in the favela itself.
The show also features two photographic installations, one focusing on Mineira favela, the other on portraits of people celebrating carnival in the Brazilian city of Salvador, the favela dwellers having a party!
