22.9 Graphic Journal
04. September 2022
…é a tua terra
«Me sinto como um peixe que finalmente encontrou a sua água.»
…é a tua terra
«Me sinto como um peixe que finalmente encontrou a sua água.»
03. September 2022
Ribeirinho
I will remain the last days at this river and will not leave as planned already in the direction of Roraima. I will tackle this part next time. Here I just learn a lot about myths that are related to the freshwater dolphins "Boto". A story entangled with exploitation of women –
Ribeirinho
I will remain the last days at this river and will not leave as planned already in the direction of Roraima. I will tackle this part next time. Here I just learn a lot about myths that are related to the freshwater dolphins "Boto". A story entangled with exploitation of women –
02. September 2022
Mandioca
The cultivation of manioc, yucca, or cassava probably originated in the central regions of Brazil and was cultivated by the indigenous people long before colonization. It is prepared in the most diverse ways. I eat it all my life but I had never seen the production of «Farinha».
Mandioca
The cultivation of manioc, yucca, or cassava probably originated in the central regions of Brazil and was cultivated by the indigenous people long before colonization. It is prepared in the most diverse ways. I eat it all my life but I had never seen the production of «Farinha».
01. September 2022
Science fiction
After forty years spent in Serra Pelada, he still hopes that the mine, which is full of water, will be restarted and that he will soon find gold again. How the whole thing will succeed, he even described in the interview. He says he is a satisfied man who has experienced great adventure at the foot of this mine. Now he lives in the abandoned houses of the Canadian company that tried to mine gold underground a few years ago. (Colossus Minerals- mining video)
Science fiction
After forty years spent in Serra Pelada, he still hopes that the mine, which is full of water, will be restarted and that he will soon find gold again. How the whole thing will succeed, he even described in the interview. He says he is a satisfied man who has experienced great adventure at the foot of this mine. Now he lives in the abandoned houses of the Canadian company that tried to mine gold underground a few years ago. (Colossus Minerals- mining video)
31. August 2022
Mining exploited region
It's so gigantic. I don't know how to describe it. In the middle of a hole dug by man. You can see the traces of the machines. The empty gas cans are lined up everywhere. It smells of gasoline and wet earth. More earth is removed and the hole gets deeper. Raw material mining is no longer an abstract concept for me.
Mining exploited region
It's so gigantic. I don't know how to describe it. In the middle of a hole dug by man. You can see the traces of the machines. The empty gas cans are lined up everywhere. It smells of gasoline and wet earth. More earth is removed and the hole gets deeper. Raw material mining is no longer an abstract concept for me.
30. August 2022
Belém
What now? Further north? My uncle could not go back to his camp yet. The raids in the Garimpo don’t seem to have calmed down yet. These are heated times and soon there will be elections.
Belém
What now? Further north? My uncle could not go back to his camp yet. The raids in the Garimpo don’t seem to have calmed down yet. These are heated times and soon there will be elections.
24. August 2022
Garimpo II
I have great respect for their hard work to somehow make money. But the destruction that goes along with their work is disastrous – I find myself in the middle of a huge hole. You can only guess how dense the forest must have been here. I was never a tree hugger, but now I’m becoming one. I feel sorry for both. For the trees and as well for the people. Today there was a little gold in the rubble. The relations are just not right.
Garimpo II
I have great respect for their hard work to somehow make money. But the destruction that goes along with their work is disastrous – I find myself in the middle of a huge hole. You can only guess how dense the forest must have been here. I was never a tree hugger, but now I’m becoming one. I feel sorry for both. For the trees and as well for the people. Today there was a little gold in the rubble. The relations are just not right.
23. August 2022
Garimpo I
The first time in a mine. It’s crazy – now I’m actually in the region where my father has also searched for gold. There are still illegal excavations. Time seems to have stood still. The raw material they now find more is copper instead of gold. This heat is unbearable. How do they understand each other? The engines are so loud and everywhere it smells of gasoline.
Garimpo I
The first time in a mine. It’s crazy – now I’m actually in the region where my father has also searched for gold. There are still illegal excavations. Time seems to have stood still. The raw material they now find more is copper instead of gold. This heat is unbearable. How do they understand each other? The engines are so loud and everywhere it smells of gasoline.
22. August 2022
End of life
I've encountered death in so many ways during these few days. Sisters saying good bye to each other, people passing by to tell me how my father died, covid deaths in the family, car accident from a cousin…
End of life
I've encountered death in so many ways during these few days. Sisters saying good bye to each other, people passing by to tell me how my father died, covid deaths in the family, car accident from a cousin…
21. August 2022
How to get to the garimpo?
She spent 3 years in the garimpo close to the boarder to Venezuela. “Life is tough up there but at least I was making a living – cooking for the guy’s, I think you would like this kind of adventure.” I’m not so sure about it. She gave me so much insights that I doubt if I really should go there. The next days I will be visiting some gold mining camps in the region of Para. I’m really excited to see it in person. First stop will be «Grota Rica» – my father used to work there as well.
How to get to the garimpo?
She spent 3 years in the garimpo close to the boarder to Venezuela. “Life is tough up there but at least I was making a living – cooking for the guy’s, I think you would like this kind of adventure.” I’m not so sure about it. She gave me so much insights that I doubt if I really should go there. The next days I will be visiting some gold mining camps in the region of Para. I’m really excited to see it in person. First stop will be «Grota Rica» – my father used to work there as well.
20. August 2022
Hope
This time it is not about the good hope of the bus, but about the fervent hope of the garimpeiros. I don’t understand what they are still doing there at this place. I can’t grasp their gold fever.
Hope
This time it is not about the good hope of the bus, but about the fervent hope of the garimpeiros. I don’t understand what they are still doing there at this place. I can’t grasp their gold fever.
19. August 2022
How many roads…
So tired. The time is intense. At least the bus is called “Good Hope”
How many roads…
So tired. The time is intense. At least the bus is called “Good Hope”
18. August 2022
Florzinha
What a privilege to travel with these amazing women. One of them is Ilmar. So many stories to share about overcoming obstacles in life. A vida é dura para quem é mole.
Florzinha
What a privilege to travel with these amazing women. One of them is Ilmar. So many stories to share about overcoming obstacles in life. A vida é dura para quem é mole.
17. August 2022
R.I.P
On the way to the world's largest iron mine in Carajás, I heard on the radio that Major Cúrio, after the town was named Curionopolis, had died.
R.I.P
On the way to the world's largest iron mine in Carajás, I heard on the radio that Major Cúrio, after the town was named Curionopolis, had died.
16. August 2022
Serra Pelada
The last few days I have been busy exploring this place where so many gold miners have been hanging out. Most of the houses in the village are still made of wooden planks. Time seems to have stood still here. I am assured that most of the old men are gold diggers and the old women are widows of gold diggers and the children are children of gold diggers. When you arrive and look for the famous mine, you easily miss it. It's just a lake...
Instagram - Goldgarimpo
Serra Pelada
The last few days I have been busy exploring this place where so many gold miners have been hanging out. Most of the houses in the village are still made of wooden planks. Time seems to have stood still here. I am assured that most of the old men are gold diggers and the old women are widows of gold diggers and the children are children of gold diggers. When you arrive and look for the famous mine, you easily miss it. It's just a lake...
Instagram - Goldgarimpo
15. August 2022
Açaí
You have to have been to Pará to claim to have tasted real açaí. I could bathe myself in it. I love the earthy taste. It's harvest time at the moment and you can eat it right after you make it. My favourite way to eat it is with farinha, which is made from manjok. All gluten free.
Açaí
You have to have been to Pará to claim to have tasted real açaí. I could bathe myself in it. I love the earthy taste. It's harvest time at the moment and you can eat it right after you make it. My favourite way to eat it is with farinha, which is made from manjok. All gluten free.
14. August 2022
Birthplace
Curionópolis actually only came into being because of the gold rush in the Serra Pelada. Here I hear this saying a lot: De dia era trinta e de noite era trinta e oito. It's a pun on the number 30 and 38 - 38 is the name of a gun. The times must have been very rough here. The gold miners came here to have fun. In the mine itself, women and alcohol were forbidden at first. Major Cúrio had ensured law and order.
Birthplace
Curionópolis actually only came into being because of the gold rush in the Serra Pelada. Here I hear this saying a lot: De dia era trinta e de noite era trinta e oito. It's a pun on the number 30 and 38 - 38 is the name of a gun. The times must have been very rough here. The gold miners came here to have fun. In the mine itself, women and alcohol were forbidden at first. Major Cúrio had ensured law and order.
13. August 2022
Memories
I have no memory of my father but others have many. Now I started to collect them and meet relative, friends, unknown people who either worked with him in the mines or met him in passing.
Memories
I have no memory of my father but others have many. Now I started to collect them and meet relative, friends, unknown people who either worked with him in the mines or met him in passing.
12. August 2022
Pará
Huge tracts of land for the meat industry and election posters of Bolsonaro everywhere.
Pará
Huge tracts of land for the meat industry and election posters of Bolsonaro everywhere.
11. August 2022
Red sandy soil
Away from the coast to the red sandy soil. On the way to my first gold mining related stop – Serra Pelada and my birthplace Curionopolis. From São Luis it will take me around more than 20 hours to arrive there.
Red sandy soil
Away from the coast to the red sandy soil. On the way to my first gold mining related stop – Serra Pelada and my birthplace Curionopolis. From São Luis it will take me around more than 20 hours to arrive there.
10. August 2022
Bolsonaro or Lula?
To spend time together definitely means to have the nails done watching telenovela. I regret a bit accepting the invitation, she took away so much of my “cuticula” cuticle that my nails all feel sore. The conversation kept getting political because of the elections in october and if Donna Açougueira could decide she wouldn’t vote at all – they all steal – but in order for her to get her pension correctly she has to vote and will most likely vote for someone unknown.
Bolsonaro or Lula?
To spend time together definitely means to have the nails done watching telenovela. I regret a bit accepting the invitation, she took away so much of my “cuticula” cuticle that my nails all feel sore. The conversation kept getting political because of the elections in october and if Donna Açougueira could decide she wouldn’t vote at all – they all steal – but in order for her to get her pension correctly she has to vote and will most likely vote for someone unknown.
09. August 2022
Vozinha
Every time I see her again she seems to have gotten even smaller. She still makes her colorful rugs out of scraps of clothes. Só saudades daqueles velhos tempo. Encountering with grandma.
Vozinha
Every time I see her again she seems to have gotten even smaller. She still makes her colorful rugs out of scraps of clothes. Só saudades daqueles velhos tempo. Encountering with grandma.
08. August 2022
Extraterrestrial gold
Where does gold actually come from? The thought about it makes the whole gold search even more mystical. Had completely forgotten about it. Gold is created when star remains collide.
Extraterrestrial gold
Where does gold actually come from? The thought about it makes the whole gold search even more mystical. Had completely forgotten about it. Gold is created when star remains collide.
