The riverside of Faro has a new look at Ria Formosa: a mural by the artist from Farense Xavier Franck (João Bernardo), designed in honor of the communities that depend on the Ria Formosa and that want to raise awareness of the need to preserve this natural heritage.
The mural, entitled “Olhar a Ria”, is located at the back of the Algarve Live Science Centre, facing the Ria and for those who pass by. The completion of this mural was planned for last year, but, due to logistical issues, it was delayed.
However, as of today those who depart or return through the boarding pier of Faro, next to the walls, or those who sail by boat along the Ria Formosa have the opportunity to see this work, the latest addition to the urban art collection of Faro.
This mural was promoted by Sciaena, with the support of the Municipality of Faro and in partnership with the Algarve Live Science Center and the team Faro 2027 (responsible for the Application of Faro the European Capital of Culture).
All these entities were gathered at the loading dock on the 27th of June, in a symbolic event where the artist Xavier Franck presented his vision of the work he was completing.
«It was a pleasure to be able to create a work of this dimension in the city where I live and dedicated to a place as special as the Ria Formosa», said the artist Xavier Franck, explaining that the mural is composed by the representation of two faces, one female and the other men who «represent the people of Ria but who also assert themselves as guardians of this ecosystem», whose biodiversity is also represented in the work.
Cristina Veiga Pires, from the Algarve Living Science Centre, congratulated Sciaena for this partnership that brought the building closer to the Ria Formosa Living Science Center and its people.
"The fact that the work represented a female face is fundamental as the sea is generally associated only with men, but there are many women who also work in the estuary and the sea and are part of the history of our region" , he said.
On behalf of the application team of Faro the European Capital of Culture 2027 spoke Sofia Martins who reaffirmed the importance of this piece of urban art as an «identity element of the shellfish and fishermen community», explaining the importance that the project had in «establishing a dialogue with this community in contributing to the development of the work that honors them».
In the same sense, Adriano Guerra, councilor of the Chamber of Faro, identified the «Ria Formosa as the heart of the city» and recalled the importance of its preservation for the future of Faro.
Sciaena is a Portuguese non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation of the marine environment and the involvement of the population in its protection.
Sciaena annually promotes an art festival dedicated to the preservation of the oceans – the Mar Motto – which counts on the participation of several national artists, and according to the executive coordinator Gonçalo Carvalho, «it simultaneously seeks to create exterior works in order to leave a lasting legacy that can make the public aware of the need to change habits in order to protect the Oceans and its biodiversity».
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