Public art piece SAUDADES DA TERRA

THE WORLD IN THE ISLAND THE ISLAND IN THE OCEAN

THE OCEAN CONNECTING ALL AZOREANS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

Globe – The “Terra”

A globe, representing “Terra”, with 4 meters in diameter, its outer shell constructed with Portuguese cobblestone (white and black limestone from mainland Portugal).

The Azores islands will be represented in a larger scale in comparison to the continents.

The planet “Terra” is also our corner. It’s where we all live, although it is big, it is small for human sentiments.

The Rock – The Island

The globe will rest on a basalt rock representing the island, with 1.4 meters in height and 3.5 meters in diameter, of irregular form.

The rock symbolizes the island, the islands of the Azores.

The Ocean – Shore to Shore

The design for the floor of the piece was developed by the artist Luke Marston, who is of the Salish People of Vancouver Island, Canada.

The design is already part of a public art piece developed by Luke Marston to honor his ancestors, including Portuguese Joe Silvey (José Simas), a whaler, adventurer, pioneer and foremost to his many descendants a family man.

The ocean waves that intertwine symbolize the ones that brake against the Azorean coast and in to all the coasts of continents and islands where Azoreans have settled.

Luke Marston has most graciously given permission that his design be used in this public art piece. This gesture by Luke is also in recognition of the cooperation that many Azorean entities gave to his project Shore to Shore.

Implantation

The piece is implemented in the center of the Emigrant Square, with an approximate area of 4,000 m², and located in front of the the Arquipélago – Contemporary Art Center, in the City of Ribeira Grande, São Miguel Island, Azores. In-between the ocean front and the square and the Center, there will be no visual abstractions as to highlight the piece, the square and the ocean.

The square floor symbolizes the sea, executed in white Portuguese cobblestone.

Thanks

The project has already had the voluntary support of many people. To them and to all those who join this tribute to the Azorean Emigrant, our sincere thanks.

Special thanks to the Association of Azorean Emigrants and to the Municipality of Ribeira Grande for having supported the project from the beginning.

LUÍS SILVA

THE TEAM