The Temple of Time

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Faro > Silves > Silves > Silves-Gare

Location

O Templo Do Tempo (The Temple of Time) is located at the old Silves railway station, in the area known as Silves-Gare, within the municipality of Silves. This space occupies one of the old warehouses of the Portuguese Railway Company (CP), a building that was transformed to host the artistic and cultural activities developed there. Its location in a quieter part of the locality provides an environment conducive to reflection and contemplation.

A Space for Art and Creation

Since 2009, O Templo Do Tempo has functioned as a studio and school, serving as the workplace for sculptor and painter António Villares Pires. The space is organized into two distinct areas: a workshop on the ground floor, dedicated to sculpture, where the artist pays homage to master António Soares dos Reis; and an upper mezzanine, reserved for painting. In both environments, Villares Pires develops both original works and recreations of art classics.

The Philosophy of Time in Art

The name of the place, "O Templo Do Tempo" (The Temple of Time), reflects the philosophy inherent in the artist's creative process. Sculpture, in particular, is a demanding manual work, carried out without the aid of machines, where each cut in the stone is definitive and irremediable. This time-consuming and precise process contrasts with painting, which allows for corrections. Thus, Villares Pires' works follow their own rhythm, maturing over the time required for art to reach its plenitude. This focus on the natural cadence of creation is one of the striking characteristics of the space.

Center of Cultural Dynamism

In addition to being a creative studio, O Templo Do Tempo is also an active cultural hub, with a varied program throughout the year. Under the coordination of Paula Villares Pires, the space has been the stage for various events, from classical and contemporary music recitals to dance performances and other multidisciplinary shows. In 2015, for example, the venue hosted the 1st International Symposium of Figurative Stone Sculpture, which gathered sculptors of various nationalities to create works on site.

The Invitation to Learning and Inspiration

O Templo Do Tempo also offers introductory courses in stone work and painting, open to all who wish to explore the universe of plastic arts. In these courses, the focus is on the art of observation and the development of new creative skills. The spirit of the place is guided by the artist's motto, "The soul and the hands make art," inviting visitors to an intimate approach to the creative process and the essence of artistic expression.

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