Frederico Mendes

3^rd part of the First Rio City Aesthetic Marathon (concept): 0.616 kilometers in 8:45 minutes – completed on Monday, April 11^th 2016, in the district Leblon (overall map). The photographer, painter and poet Frederico Mendes (*1947) lives in Rio de Janeiro (more about him).

Why did you choose this part to represent Rio de Janeiro at the First Rio City Aesthetic Marathon?

This is my favorite place in Rio. I know many beaches, and no other beach in the world has such a landscape. Look at the mountains there. Imagine that at sunset! In the summer the sun sets exactly between the islands over there. This is fantastic! I know no nicer sunset, and I already have seen many. This beach is in an emotional kind very important for me because here I learnt to swim. Here I learnt to jump from the rocks. Here I started surfing. And here I gave my first girlfriend the first kiss. I had several girlfriends here, loves that passed and endured. I have strong feelings about this place. My children learnt to swim here, you know?

And something else touches me very much. Do you see the high buildings over there? People with a very high salary live there, people who earn a lot. Completely in contrast to those who frequent the beach. Many come from the periphery, from the suburbs. So you can see the rich sitting beside those who earn only a minimum wage or are jobless. I believe, this is the most democratic beach of Brazil. To come to an end: this beach has a lot of samba. How many songs of the Bossa Nova have been composed here! Tom Jobim came here when he felt not inspired, sat down on one of the stones and played guitar and composed unbelievable Bossa Novas! This beach is historically significant not only for me, but for all inhabitants of Rio.

Your favourite art place in Rio?
I often go to the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil to see expositions, movies, theatre etc.

Your favourite shop in Rio?
Lojas Americanas in Ipanema. I go there two or three times a week to buy little things for the household or for everyday life.

Your favourite restaurant in Rio – and what should you order there?
The Sawasdee, a thai restaurant. I like the hot oriental kitchen. I recommend the Massaman-Curry. Rua Dias Ferreira, 571, Leblon.

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