Arts, Humanities, and Engineering

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Artwork

District: Braga > Braga > Gualtar

Location

This remarkable work of art is located on the Gualtar Campus of the University of Minho, in Braga. The campus is situated in the locality of Gualtar, an area characterized by its dynamic university atmosphere and the presence of green spaces. The piece integrates harmoniously into this environment of knowledge and innovation, being accessible within the campus itself.

The Sculpture and Its Message

"Arts, Humanities, and Engineering" is an imposing sculpture, conceived as a tribute to Professor Vítor Aguiar e Silva. Its structure evokes a loggia from classical architecture, with an elegant perfect arch. Inside, a particularity captures the eye: an open book, stylized with a page that appears to be turned by the wind. This representation of the book suggests the literary legacy, especially the work of Luís Vaz de Camões, extensively studied by the Professor.

Standing almost three meters tall and weighing significantly, the sculpture conveys the idea of a confluence of knowledge. Its designation precisely reflects this union between the knowledge of humanities, artistic expression, and engineering innovation, a concept that guided the life and work of the honored figure. The artist, Raúl Ferreira, known for his exploration of cement, gave the piece a striking presence and an aesthetic that dialogues with the surrounding space.

Innovation and Sustainability

Beyond its formal beauty and symbolic value, this sculpture stands out for the innovation in the materials used. The main structure incorporates ASIC, a steel industry residue being investigated as a sustainable substitute for aggregates and cement itself. The book, with its complex and slender geometry, was molded with a cutting-edge material: ECC (Engineered Cementitious Composite). This special fiber-reinforced concrete exhibits remarkable ductility and even self-healing capabilities, demonstrating a promising future in construction. The sculptor's choice for a contrast between the dark gray of the ASIC and the white of the ECC in the book highlights the uniqueness of these "materials of the future" in their purest and most original state.

The project reflects the commitment to promoting a circular economy and environmental sustainability, using art as a vehicle to explore and give visibility to scientific discoveries. The work is, therefore, a testament to the multidisciplinary collaboration between institutions connected to knowledge and innovation, solidifying the idea that progress is achieved through the convergence of different fields of knowledge.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt