Geomonument of Calouste Gulbenkian Avenue

Category: Nature > Park

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Bairro da Calçada dos Mestres

Location

The Geomonument on Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian is located on one of Lisbon's main thoroughfares, situated in the Bairro da Calçada dos Mestres. This vast panel covers a long retaining wall, marking the capital's urban landscape. Its imposing size makes it stand out on the avenue, acting as a visual element that accompanies the journey of passers-by, whether on foot or by vehicle. Its position offers an interesting visual framing, especially due to its proximity to the monumental arcades of the Aqueduct of Free Waters, with which the work seeks to establish a dialogue.

Large-Scale Art

This geomonument is, in fact, a monumental tiled covering, designed by João Abel Manta in 1970 and applied in 1982. Its creation was part of a broader landscaping project for the area, authored by Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles. The work is distinguished by its remarkable size, extending for almost three hundred meters in width and ten meters in height, making it one of the largest artistic interventions in public space in the city. Its scale and integration into the earth retaining wall are fundamental characteristics that define it as a true urban canvas.

A Dance of Colors and Patterns

The concept behind this work is based on an elaborate rhythmic play, achieved through the combination of various colors and abstract geometric patterns. João Abel Manta's intention was to create a perception of vertical movement for the observer, with a smooth transition from warm tones in the upper part of the avenue to cool colors as one approaches the Aqueduct. The panel also integrates areas of more saturated coloring and others of more diluted hue, adding visual complexity. This chromatic play is particularly accentuated for those moving, providing a dynamic and continuous visual experience.

Dialogue with the City

Although it was the subject of some criticism upon its installation, the Geomonument on Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian is today affirmed as a valuable element of urban landscaping. The work was designed to serve as a backdrop for the vegetation that has since grown in the location, reinforcing its function as an integral component of the urban landscape. Its conception sought to harmonize the ceramic covering with the iconic presence of the arcades of the Aqueduct of Free Waters, creating a point of interest that reflects the capacity of public art to dialogue with heritage and the built environment.

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