Reportages: Brazil: #GLITTERTERRORISM

In a final scene one of the most awarded feature documentary films in Brazilian history, Dzi Croquettes, Maxim, a member of the avant grade theatrical troupe as he tells the co-director of the film, Tatiana Issa, who also happens to be his daughter, as he is dying of AIDS, "Gays don't die, they turn into glitter." 

The documentary not only follows the lives of group of 13 male artists breaking all social taboos paving the way for the nascent Brazilian gay rights but was formed during the country's most terrifying state-terrorism draconian dictatorship of the 1960s.  

Today once again, faced with flagrant injustices, plummeting inflation and transpiring corruption. Brazilians take to the streets. Once again, all causes come together in protest .  

This mixture to the activists and artists from all political walks, including indigenous rights groups as well gay right advocates. The culture of glitter has resurfaced in Brazil, and it's implications are limitless. Whether inspired by similar movements worldwide or by popular internet phenomenon known as glitter bombing. Born in the US, glitter bombing is an act of protest in which an activist or a group throw glitter on a celebrity. Althought the motivation may vary, University of Colorado-Boulder student Peter Smith, faced up to six months in jail and a 1000$ fine for the alleged glitter bombing of the presidential candidate Mitt Romney at a campaign event, in 2012. This was in his own words to bring attention to Romney's opposition to same-sex marriage. 

Perceived as less confrontational than pouring red paint of fur coats as a means of activism to bring attention to animal rights, glitter is ephemeral. Or is it? Whether spilled on the red carpet or the inside of a police car, glitter stays. Perhaps even for weeks, as a pleasant reminder of an issue that won't go away either. 

To some this constitutes an assault. Glitter bomb would be vandalism and to another extent, terrorism. For others simpling calling it "glittering" with hopes to de-emphasize it's violent over tones.. 

Born during the carnival in 2013 a small group of artists collective (especially gay women) known as "glitter terrorists" following the tradition of performance art use glitter not only as an act of defiance or provocation but simply to express one's creativity.  

" Glitter is a social class." Raisa Carlos de Andrade, 25, hairstylist and makeup artist who begun incorporated the glitter in her work and life a year ago, tell the online tabloid in May 2014, "It is the cheapest way to be beautiful ". In a society divided by class, races and now gender, glitter culture is alive and well in Rio de Janeiro. 

Used by young artists and activists alike during general strikes, artistic interventions, occupy movements nor now popular street parties or blocos, glitter has slowly been becoming a craze. Sold in "fantasy" or costume stores. Glitter is available in this city know for it's carnival.  

During the Pope's visit on June of 2013, various of these types of protests or street parties - blocos occured such as Bikini bloco and the slut walk illustrated in these images.