I don't know if it was my casual use of the word 'cultural' in the email or WhatsApp call circular, or whether 'semi-rural' was the obstacle, but in the end the excuses came flooding in from recent hospitalisations, family visiting, having to report back to the AWW about our activities, returning to UK, or not wanting to walk without dogs. The result was that only3 of us showed at Cafe Bairro for a caffeine sharpener at the crack of 10 am on the given date.
Thus the starter photo was unusual with only 2 of the 3 in the photo (absence of Gorilla Pod) and they studiously ignoring each other!
However we set off briskly just before 1030, and soon one of the major street art pieces hove into view.
Skeleton with a camera, and the WAGS Art Appreciation Society
I won't bore you in this blog with details of the discussions of meaning, criticism of brush or spray can technique and other fine details covered. I will just show the views seen on the way round, the names by which I know the paintings, and a summary of our efforts.
A quick stop to discuss the history of the Ermida e Tanques de S. Joao Batista, which has now been restored by the local Romanians and is used as a focal point for their sunday religious meetings.
The next piece was by Woodman, who depicts what can only be a WAG taking a break after a hard Wednesday WAGging.
And then we came to the rural part of the walk. What looks like water in the centre of the picture is banks of solar voltaic panels set up in the hopes of some investment income by a private individual.
And now the Adventure part of the walk - a tunnel. Myriam went first in case of peril to the two larger framed members of the tour.
There was light at the end of the tunnel as Rod emerges into the sun.
Soon we came across the allegorical 'Vertical Bus' which symbolism caused many theories to be advanced.
Over halfway now and the other two WAGS were so engrossed in their phones that they failed to notice the satirical wall painting beneath the flyover.
Further on, a commissioned wall painting of Lord Baden Powell on the end of the Scout House of the 173rd Lagos Troop. A short discussion was stimulated about the difference in media and compensation culture since those innocent days, which quickly spread to Jimmy Saville and Sir Cliff!
A piece new for this year by a Dutch Artist Daan Bottlek, who gives a unique interpretation of Newton's Cradle, or is it a Scottish pub queue?
On to Rua Lancarote de Freitas near the Cultural Centre where there is the greatest concentrations of street art. This one of Snails is by Roa a very famous street artist.
A type of Gordian Knot and some tiles incorporating Picasso's likeness.
The Crouching Woman. If only the building had been higher she could have been more comfortable.
The Fish is apparently a significant detail from the above Crouching Woman.
Lady with a tear in her eye.
Mr Frog on the wall of the public allotments.
A rather gorgeous warrior queen on the wall of a Strip Club.
A rather damaged and faded but once spectacular allegory of peasants going to war and fading away.
A quality painting of a Smoker. Maybe the Artist as an Old Man.
Finally to the LAC HQ, the Old Gaol, where the artists were all given spaces this year. Two works by different Artists done recently. The falling man was done by 7 overlapping stencils, and the fierce dog by even more smaller stencils.
Inside the toilet facing the commode. Use your imagination for the translation.
In the main room of the Gaol, a picture by Portuguese Artist Third above.
This painting by another Porto artist, Mots (real name Diogo Ruas) painted all 4 walls and the ceiling of one of the rooms at the jail – here is a detail from his painting which is perhaps redolent of M C Escher.
Next, here is a creation on 3 walls of the old jail’s exercise yard. It is by M-City (Mariusz Waras from Poland) . It depicts workers fleeing from burning offshore oilrigs, with a reference to local virgin olive oil – highly topical in the light of crazy plans to drill for oil off the Algarve.
And a piece of photographic art by me of a Fig Thief inside the courtyard, no doubt due to get sentenced.
And last of all, a tongue in cheek piece by Dann Bottlek, the Dutch Artist, titled by him and inside a stairwell in the Gaol.
From here it was a short walk down the hill to Cafe Bairro and the long anticipated lunch. Myriam and I had Ensopada de Lulas for €4,00 and Rod had an enormous tosta mista for less.
The tale of my Garmin GPS read:-
...... making it look very respectable, but Komoot and Rod's cutprice Samsung made it only 9.3 km. Go with the Garmin!!
We all love walking in the country, surrounded by venomous snakes, vicious aggressive bees and all manner of strange odours not to mention impassable streams, mud and an unsympathetic sun, but urban walks should not be overlooked. There is usually something of interest to observe even though there may not be a theme, the underfoot is level, shade and coffee bars abound and there are plenty of dropout options. Think of your area. There must be a 10km walk where you can introduce other WAGS to curiosities. Think about it!
A type of Gordian Knot and some tiles incorporating Picasso's likeness.
The Crouching Woman. If only the building had been higher she could have been more comfortable.
The Fish is apparently a significant detail from the above Crouching Woman.
Lady with a tear in her eye.
Mr Frog on the wall of the public allotments.
A rather gorgeous warrior queen on the wall of a Strip Club.
A rather damaged and faded but once spectacular allegory of peasants going to war and fading away.
A quality painting of a Smoker. Maybe the Artist as an Old Man.
Finally to the LAC HQ, the Old Gaol, where the artists were all given spaces this year. Two works by different Artists done recently. The falling man was done by 7 overlapping stencils, and the fierce dog by even more smaller stencils.
Inside the toilet facing the commode. Use your imagination for the translation.
In the main room of the Gaol, a picture by Portuguese Artist Third above.
This painting by another Porto artist, Mots (real name Diogo Ruas) painted all 4 walls and the ceiling of one of the rooms at the jail – here is a detail from his painting which is perhaps redolent of M C Escher.
Next, here is a creation on 3 walls of the old jail’s exercise yard. It is by M-City (Mariusz Waras from Poland) . It depicts workers fleeing from burning offshore oilrigs, with a reference to local virgin olive oil – highly topical in the light of crazy plans to drill for oil off the Algarve.
And a piece of photographic art by me of a Fig Thief inside the courtyard, no doubt due to get sentenced.
And last of all, a tongue in cheek piece by Dann Bottlek, the Dutch Artist, titled by him and inside a stairwell in the Gaol.
From here it was a short walk down the hill to Cafe Bairro and the long anticipated lunch. Myriam and I had Ensopada de Lulas for €4,00 and Rod had an enormous tosta mista for less.
The tale of my Garmin GPS read:-
...... making it look very respectable, but Komoot and Rod's cutprice Samsung made it only 9.3 km. Go with the Garmin!!
We all love walking in the country, surrounded by venomous snakes, vicious aggressive bees and all manner of strange odours not to mention impassable streams, mud and an unsympathetic sun, but urban walks should not be overlooked. There is usually something of interest to observe even though there may not be a theme, the underfoot is level, shade and coffee bars abound and there are plenty of dropout options. Think of your area. There must be a 10km walk where you can introduce other WAGS to curiosities. Think about it!
The history of modern art is also the history of the progressive loss of art's audience. Art has increasingly become the concern of the artist and the bafflement of the public.
