Among the many glances taken at the more than 12,000 photographs from Belo Horizonte’s (capital city of Minas Gerais state, in Brazil) public archives, one type of image stands out: the presence of children at political events, whether in the city hall or external: inaugurations, celebrations, the signing of laws, among other solemnities. This presence serves as a “humanization” of those in power, of the politics. The collection - not unlike so many other official archives - has been created, catalogued, and preserved for the benefit of a city in constant “progress”, highlighting certain themes and certain events - there are almost no records of popular demonstrations and almost none without the illustrious presence of a ruler. Nevertheless, a more careful search reveals a presence that doesn’t strike a pose, inattentive when it wants to be and sometimes attentive to what no one seems to notice, admittedly - and comically - bored or curious, a presence that doesn’t actively participate in the very politics that make it illustrious. The children are, in fact, most of the time unaccompanied by their mothers, lent for a brief and solemn participation. Thus, I decided to highlight it. To highlight this subtle presence, but full of agency. And highlight their recurrence, which is still commonly used today for political propaganda.

The light game inverts the illustrious position, highlighting another game, which is always in dispute: the political one.