Over the past 18 years, Filipe da Palma has photographed platbands all over the municipality of Olhão (and in the Algarve). At the Municipal Museum – Compromisso Marítimo Building, he now shows the result of this work, through the exhibition Olhão platbands, patent until May 31st.
The exhibition was inaugurated within the scope of the International Day of Monuments and Sites – which marks the 18th of April -, with the presence of the author, the councilor of Culture Gracinda Rendeiro, and the president of the Parish Council of Olhão João Evaristo, among many popular appreciators of Filipe da Palma's work.
“18 years ago I broke up in Olhão. I am passionate about this land. For me, it is a bastion, a place that concentrates enormous wealth in terms of popular heritage. Many people do not see themselves in this type of heritage, which is lost every day, as happens with platbands”, lamented the 47-year-old Algarve photographer, during the exhibition on the its platbands of Olhão.
Councilwoman Gracinda Rendeiro highlighted this way of “drawing attention to what is visible to all”, praising the work of the photographer who, for the second time, is exhibiting at the Municipal Museum of Olhão.
“That's how I discovered Olhão, with its roof terraces, platbands, lookouts, pangaios, with its color”, testifies Filipe da Palma, who says that he lived “a moment of epiphany” when he realized that there was another Algarve, not that of sun and beach.
“This moment of epiphany happened through the platbands (everyone talks about the chimneys!!). And like chimneys, no two platbands are alike, which are an immense, unappreciated wealth. It's a collection that started 18 years ago and will continue. I only take pictures of platbands with the blue sky, when there are no shadows, because they all have to shine! There are flashes of shapes, colors, textures…”, testifies the author of Olhão platbands.
Yes, all these platbands exist and are in good condition, ornamenting old houses, some over 100 years old, reveals Filipe da Palma, who, with this exhibition, shows its uniqueness and richness: “With this work, I intend to preserve itself what is done. Because all are unique pieces and, when a platband is torn down, there is no other that can replace it, there are no longer masters to make them. I try to instill in people a taste for what they have in order to preserve it. It is in this kind of beauty that I see myself. And Olhão is very rich in this beauty!”, adds the photographer, who exhibits photographs of platbands from all parishes in the Edifício do Compromisso Marítimo.
“The entire municipality is represented here”, reveals Filipe da Palma, whose exhibition can be visited until the end of May.
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