Public Project #1 - UNESCO Site - Pena Palace & Gardens

Client: Parques Sintra Monte de Lua (PSML)

Location: UNESCO Site - Pena Palace & Gardens, Sintra, Portugal

Project: "Point of View" Project - A site-specific contemporary art group exhibition. Working with 10 established international and national artists: Alberto Carneiro, Alexandre Farto/Vhils, Antonio Bokel, Bosco Sodi, Gabriela Albergaria, Joao Paulo Serafim, Nespoon, Nils Udo, Paulo Arraiano, and Stuart Ian Frost.

Project Manager & Art Director, Curation: Sofia Barros

Curation: Paulo Arraiano

Concept: "The project aimed to commemorate the Bicentenary of the birth of Ferdinand II, the 'King-Artist' who founded the Pena Palace and Gardens. The project's objective was to create an enriching experience for the park's visitors, inviting them to explore its various perspectives and 'points of view.' The relationship between man and nature was perceived through total symbiosis, as King Ferdinand himself had sought," described the Project Director, Sofia Barros. The name 'Point of View' derives precisely from the French expression 'Point de Vue' applied in the landscape architecture of the gardens, interrelating with the concept of perspective. 'Point of View' seeks to celebrate and recall this correlation and the collaboration first initiated by Ferdinand II in 1838, following the creation of a pivotal bridge to the cultural heritage of humanity."

Special thanks to: Xpose Consulting for their invaluable contribution to international communications.

Photo credits: PSML_Wilson_Pereira and PSML_Emigus.

PUBLIC PROJECT Nº2 - Natural Reserve, Cascais Portugal

Client: Cascais Municipality, EMAC - Environmental Department of Cascais Location: Natural Reserve, Quinta do Pisão - Cascais, Portugal

Quinta do Pisão, Natural Reserve - Considered a case study in nature conservation, biodiversity, and the development of responsible tourism, Quinta do Pisão is located north of Cascais, at the foot of the Sintra mountain range, and is part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. It represents a natural landscape of great importance due to the diversity of the fauna and flora typical of this area, as well as the presence of ruins of cultural and architectural value.

Art Director and Project Manager: Sofia Barros

Project Objectives:

  • Increase national visibility and awareness of Quinta Do Pisão and the natural reserves in the Cascais/Sintra - Portugal areas.

  • Strengthen the social and cultural mandates of the Cascais municipality in the arts, education, and culture sectors.

  • Foster a newfound appreciation for public parks and natural reserves with the aim of increasing the number of visitors to the reserve.

Project Concept: The Artistic Intervention is situated along the sensory nature trail where visitors are invited to rest, listen, and connect. In this case, the senses of sight and sound are encouraged, allowing visitors to observe attentively and listen to the sounds of nature. The nature trails will be created, in part, for the visually impaired. Braille handrails will be implemented along the way, gently guiding individuals to engage with the natural surroundings of Quinta.

Invited Environmental Artist: Will Beckers (NL)

Title: "Daydreamer" / "Sonhador" refers to a specific approach, the connection between Humans and Nature. It symbolizes the perpetual cyclic renewal of life and infinity, the concept of eternity, the perpetual return, and represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. As soon as Nature creates any evolutionary process, it is already working on a metamorphosis towards another entity. From all sides of the artwork, the visitor can look inside the sculpture and contemplate an inner source of our vulnerable world. The interior of "Sonhador" represents a whirlwind of nature.

Photography: Ruth Ferrony

PUBLIC PROJECT Nº3 - Natural Reserve, Cascais Portugal

Client: Municipality of Cascais - EMAC – Environmental Department Location: Quinta Do Pisão - Natural Reserve of Cascais, Portugal

Project: Site-specific environmental art intervention concerning Climate Change.

Project Head and Art Director: Sofia Barros Invited Artist: Environmental artist Stuart Ian Frost

International and National Communications: XPOSE Consulting.

Objectives:

  • Strengthen the connection between younger generations and their affinity for nature, while imparting knowledge about the significance of environmental preservation and safeguarding the planet.

  • Foster a newfound appreciation and value for public parks and natural reserves.

  • Enhance the social and cultural directives within the municipality of Cascais, with a particular focus on the realms of arts, education, and culture.

Mission: The primary objective of this special assignment was to address and promote awareness of critical environmental concerns, specifically focusing on issues related to drought and climate change.

Invited Artist: Environmental artist Stuart Ian Frost

The result: Art intervention titled "Rise and Fall" Frost effectively conveys this message by utilizing the shell of a 15-meter sculpture that once represented a thriving and robust Eucalyptus tree. This tree met its demise due to drought-induced water scarcity during Portugal's severe drought in 2017, leaving the landscape vulnerable to devastating forest fires.

On this sculpture, Frost intricately engraved the image of countless water droplets, serving as a powerful symbol to underscore both the consequences and the root causes of this ecological issue. It starkly contrasts with the vibrant flora and fauna in its immediate surroundings and the forest within the park. Visitors are not only invited to engage with Frost's artwork but also encouraged to explore the park's resilient ecosystem, gaining an appreciation for its diverse beauty and the region's rich cultural and historical heritage.

The Project's Art Director, Sofia Barros, elaborates: "Over the past years, I have devoted my efforts to public art projects centered around themes of nature, the environment, and education. I firmly believe that the new paradigm for business involves fostering synergies and collaborative efforts to address critical issues in the realms of nature preservation, environmental conservation, and education. I am convinced that art can serve as a potent catalyst for raising awareness among both children and adults."Frost, driven by his passion for ecology and unwavering commitment to environmentalism, embarked on a mission to bridge the divide between humanity, the aesthetics of nature, and the world of art. A golden opportunity presented itself when the Municipality of Cascais, known for its desire to enlighten the public about the intrinsic connection between humanity and nature, recognized the importance of embarking on projects aimed at preserving this bond. Their contact with us regarding this project has yielded exceptional results, exemplifying a perfect synergy between like-minded individuals and organizations.

Public Project #4 - Natural Reserve - Quinta do Pisão - Municipality of Cascais

CONSULTANT.
PROJECT MANAGER AND ART DIRECTOR
Jan 2023- May 2024

CLIENT: MUNICIPALITY OF CASCAIS. EMAC - ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL GERMAN ARTIST: Roger Rigorth

TITLE: "ONE SEED CREATES A FOREST"

PROJECT: Rigorth, drawing from acute observation and profound sensitivity, found inspiration in the natural world's captivating intricacies. He discerned the recurring elegance of the oval form, from the cocoon to the acorn, and recognized nature as his ultimate canvas. Time, growth, and perpetual change became his thematic pillars, echoing the rhythm of life itself.
At the heart of this site-specific artistic endeavor lies a profound reverence for the unseen intelligence that sustains our ecosystem, enabling its continuous evolution and resilience.
Nestled upon a "endangered." Portugese cork oak, revered under Portuguese law, Rigorth's artwork emerges as a testament to the harmonious convergence of art and environmental stewardship. Purposefully selecting the cork tree as his muse, he celebrates the acorn, the quintessential fruit of the oak tree, known as an “achene in botanical terms”.
A single mature oak possesses the astonishing capacity to yield upwards of 100,000 acorns, each a testament to nature's abundance and vitality. Rich in starch, these acorns serve as a vital sustenance for a myriad of wildlife, from wild boars to red squirrels and jays. In the absence of human intervention, the potential of an ancient cork oak to birth a forest spanning an estimated 15 kilometers in diameter over 500 years is a testament to the profound resilience and generative power of the natural world.
Rigorth's work serves as an evocative testament to the timeless beauty and transformative potential inherent in the organic realm. Through his art, he invites us to contemplate the boundless wonders of nature, where each moment is imbued with the splendor of growth, the passage of time, and the eternal dance of change