O Tributo e Qual Pedra

I am writing to you all from a sweet café in Porto that is now full of my yearly belongings. The sunrise train from Lisbon to Porto gave me a lot of time to think quietly about my two months here in Portugal. I had the best last week in Lisbon and felt like I was able to connect many dots. One area that I focused on was art in the street— whether urban art, government-commissioned projects, or even little photographic moments. I’ve been thinking a lot about how art can be more meaningful in everyone’s day-to-day life and give a glimpse of honor, support, and light.

One photographer I met, Camilla Watson, shared with me her dream project of honoring the fisherman of Almada. Almada is one of my favorite places outside of Lisbon. When you get off the ferry you are transported alongside a row of graffiti-covered abandoned buildings that serve as the backdrop for the elderly fisherman. Camilla told me about a fisherman named Pepe whom she photographed that’s been fishing there since he was a young boy.

Camilla Watson's image from O Tributo, photo by Heidi Swift

Camilla’s work beautifully integrates the urban landscape’s history with those of its elderly residents. Her dream project will paste Pepe’s portrait onto a limestone rock that will be secured into the ocean and reveal itself with the tide. The tide is the most important element for the Almada fisherman so Camilla wanted to be sure that the work will reflect the peak hours for fishing. The issue with executing something as ambitious as this is, of course, funding. I learned that Lisbon’s city hall is fairly generous with funding artist projects. Almada, however, is technically a different city and its funding situation is slightly different. It is crazy how much an artistic landscape can change just across the river. I really loved Camilla’s overall mission, to offer visible value to the people and memories of the past. The work can only be outside, cemented into the river because that is where the story is.

Another wonderful photographer that I had the honor to meet was Pauliana Valente Pimental. What an angel. I first saw her work at the monumental exhibition Europa Oxalá (Europe I Hope) during my first week in Lisbon. She took photos of artists in Lisbon of African descent and incorporated a quote from them at the base of each photo. Some of the excerpts gave me chills and I thought that she did a stellar job of showcasing and uplifting young artists from the area. I loved chatting with her about her extensive travels. She told me a lot about her series called Qual Pedra since I am heading to Cabo Verde in the winter.

For Qual Pedra, Pauliana documented the transgender youth in São Vincente, Cabo Verde. The title of the series references a rock in the area where people believe that if you sit on it you will become gay. The photo’s lighting, colors, and expression gives the viewer an inviting yet somber reflection on what it is like for these youth. The warmth and love that Pauliana gave to me, a stranger, in just one meeting is embodied in this series as well. She is truly a one-of-a-kind photographer that gains people’s trust to portray a true representation of their stories. The photos feel natural, yet there is still so much unsaid.

Qual Pedra by Pauliana Valente Pimental

Pauliana’s spirit and curiosity for anyone, anywhere, and anything amazed me. I can’t wait to meet with her again. She conducts photography workshops in different places every year and does one on one mentorships with artists to keep them on track. She encouraged me to document with audio, video, photo, writing, or whatever made sense so that I can bring forward something meaningful from this year. I am hoping to strengthen my photography skills and with that comes my social skills as well. Photography is all about empathy and trust. Being brave enough to get to know an outside community and work in a way that is patient and loving is one of the hardest challenges. I hope to get there one day and make something experiential and beautiful. I think that practicing photography and learning about its ethics is also a great gateway into thinking about space and how it can truly invite and uplift others. Pauliana’s work makes my head spiral into many possibilities and worlds.

I really encourage all of you to glance at her website. Let me know in the comments below what are some of your favorite photos and why. I really believe she has something for everyone and that is truly incredible.

Ack, there is just so much more to write about especially in regards to the street art scene here. Later, I will follow up on the Festival Iminente. Everything that I learned about Portugal’s art scene was prevalent at the festival, especially the sense of community and playfulness. Art in the everyday should make you reflect, smile, laugh, and dance. It should offer comfort and community.

I am headed to Guimarães to talk with curator Marta Mestre of the Centro Internacional das Artes José de Guimarães. I am struggling to read more Clarice Lispector. I am taking a lot of photos. I am just having the most fun :) I will leave you with this poem by Robert Barry that I found through Marta Mestre’s Atlas:

Art Work, by: Robert Barry