Reaction

The Brazilian writer  Ariano Suassuna called those who recognize the harshness of the world without allowing it to take control of their existence “hopeful realists.” The idea stays with me because events arrive without asking permission and alter the course of our lives.

When I returned from the Pantanal, Ítalo Romani was on the flight from Cuiabá that I took. At the airport, we talked while checking our bags. Two days later, I would photograph skateboarding for the first time. On the flight, a photographer friend had invited me to photograph the event. I accepted. That invitation fell through. On the day of the competition, a sponsor asked whether I wanted to photograph it. I accepted again.

I made those photographs for myself. Four days later, I received an invitation to exhibit them.

During the event, Ítalo spoke about difficult circumstances and about choosing how to respond. He did not want to be treated as a hero, a poor victim, or a victim at all. He wanted to be regarded by the same standard as everyone else. I remembered the airport: I was in the priority boarding line and offered him my place. Ítalo declined.

It was in that choice that I understood his words. Our response does not change what happened, but it determines where we stand afterward. This photograph was born from that encounter, without Ítalo knowing I was making it.

Perhaps life is made of consequences that arrive before the explanation. The invitation that fell through, the next one, the camera, Ítalo, the exhibition. None of it followed a predetermined plan.