Invisible to the national statistics, ‘ambulantes’ are key characters on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. They sell anything from food and drinks to biquinis and trinkets.
It only takes you a couple of minutes strolling around Copacabana beach to meet the first ‘ambulantes’.
Usually what they are selling comes last in the conversation and you first learn about their families, challenges and reams. Leading difficult lives do not stop them from smiling and having a positive attitude to life.
This photographic project is a first attempt to capture the richness of the lives of ‘ambulantes’.
Today more than 60% of the world population have mobile phones. If you live in London the chances are that every adult you meet will have a handset.
Commuting to and from work is now a time to catch up with friends and relatives. Conversations we hear are no longer amongst commuters, but between commuters and distant others.
Hours spent with people we like are more often than not, mediated. Mediated because we talk to them while we walk, shop, or are with other friends. Mediated because when we are finally with them we are also texting or responding to other friends’ calls.
This project is about how mobile phones can bring people together while setting them apart.
