Based between the USA and Italy, Youkilis’ extensive stints in Europe, South America and beyond have made his followers dream of travel: not through trite snaps of pristine beaches or high-contrast sunsets, but by elevating local custom in all its quotidian beauty. Perhaps it’s a five-second video of elderly gents playing chess in an outdoor thermal bath, a collection of clips celebrating the Italian art of scarpetta (mopping up leftover sauce with a piece of bread), or a group of men diligently sweeping the floor of a Kyoto forest. No matter the subject, he is often simply observing – a humble vantage point that gives space (and pixels) to real people.
This makes Youkilis the perfect artist to capture one of the most revered cultural traditions in the world: Rio Carnival. With an estimated two million people in attendance each year, the celebration sees citizens and tourists alike come together to party until dawn, sequinned and smiling in the Brazilian heat. And when it comes to a carnival party, there’s no place to be but Copacabana Palace. Youkilis was there too, smartphone in hand.
The Copa is Rio’s legendary playground of glamour, revered by Cariocas and the international jet-set alike. Sitting proud on Rio’s vibrant Copacabana beach, it mirrors the district’s energetic spirit in hosting sensational soirées. No soirée, however, beats the annual Baile do Copa, or Copa Ball – held each year at the apex of Rio Carnival.
Carnival season at Copa has various iconic moments: parties by the pool, a typical Brazilian feijoada lunch, live performances by Samba Schools and, of course, the raucous Ball itself. During his stay, Youkilis captured these carnival moments through unique angles that reflect the inextricable link between the hotel and the city. Be it displays of love from suite balconies, lazy mornings by the hotel pool or samba performances at the Baile do Copa, his videos reflect a vibrant community.
