To Ephemeral Glory

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Artwork

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Areeiro

Location

In the heart of the Areeiro area, in Lisbon, the sculpture 'Ad Ephemeram Gloriam' is majestically situated atop the Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques. This elevated position offers a distinctive perspective on the city, placing the artwork within an urban context of wide avenues and open spaces.

The Artwork and its Author

Popularly known as 'The Chair of Power', this artistic creation is a legacy of SAM (Samuel Azavey Torres de Carvalho), a multifaceted figure who excelled as an engineer, visual artist, and, notably, a cartoonist. The work was inaugurated in 1990, marking its presence on one of Lisbon's most relevant urban axes.

Symbolism and Reflection

With a subtle interplay of abstract forms, 'Ad Ephemeram Gloriam' invites deep reflection on the nature and transience of power. Its conception expresses the idea that those who occupy positions of authority do so from an intrinsically uncomfortable 'chair', with a tilted seat that suggests a swift and inevitable fall. This visual representation encourages meditation on the ephemerality of prominent positions.

A Universal Anti-Monument

This sculpture is more than a simple piece of art; its creator designated it as an 'anti-monument monument'. SAM's intention was to create a work without a country or age, designed to serve everyone and, simultaneously, no one in particular. It is a mirror to the fleeting moments that mark the course of every individual story, making it a universal piece for contemplation.

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