Aguas Correntes
Winning project
Permanent art installation in public space, reused materials
Premio Arte e Sustentabilidade, Zet Gallery, DST group, Barcelos, Portugal, March 2024
Reused ribbed bars and micro-perforated panels, painting
2,9m diameter, 3,5m height
This work emerges from the vision of a staircase rising from the water to reach the sky. From its steps, drops fall, frozen between the elements, and their reflections transform this everyday archetype into an impossible object. This image carries a message about the challenges we face with climate change and rising sea levels.
Beyond their practical function of connecting different physical levels, stairs have been a powerful symbol throughout history in various cultures and the arts. By changing the purpose of the sculpture to represent a symbolic ascent towards sustainability, the project transcends from a visual narrative to a broader and conceptual message.
In the face of the flood, one may want to escape reality, but also choose a conscious path and reflect on our role in building a more sustainable future. Each step of the staircase becomes a milestone in our journey, representing not only physical progress towards the top but also personal growth and evolution. It is a reminder that even the smallest steps are important in the walk towards a greater goal.
The helical shape of the staircase, resembling a DNA sequence, illustrates an intrinsic connection between all elements of life and nature. It is as if we are ascending not only physically but spiritually, in harmony. The choice of recycled and surplus materials for the construction of the staircase not only reduces the environmental impact of the work but also adds layers of meaning to its narrative. These materials, which would otherwise be discarded, are re-signified and transformed into a work of art that celebrates human creativity and the capacity for regeneration.
As nature embraces this structure over time, with climbing plants enveloping the steps, we witness a rebirth, as if we are watching the Earth itself emerging from the depths, renewed and revitalized. Beyond the staircase, the three benches positioned in the scenic front are not just seats but invitations to contemplation and dialogue. Their shape, resembling steps, symbolizes the interconnection between all elements and invites visitors to engage with its message.
Thus, the staircase is not just a physical structure but a multifaceted symbol of hope, progress, and connection. It is an invitation for all of us to unite in a collective journey towards a better future for generations to come. It is a poetic statement about the intersection between art, nature, and sustainability. It is an invitation to dance in the rain of change, embracing each drop as a promise of rebirth. For in its steps, we find not just a journey, but also the promise of a new dawn.
