She Changes

Category: Civil Architecture > Monument

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Nevogilde

Location

The sculpture "She Changes", popularly known as "Anémona", is strategically located in Praça Cidade Salvador, in the Nevogilde area of Porto. This coastal location, which marks the transition to neighboring Matosinhos, offers a wide and unobstructed visual framing. Its striking presence, by the seafront, allows it to be observed from various perspectives, integrated into the Atlantic landscape.

A Monumental and Flexible Sculpture

Conceived by artist Janet Echelman and inaugurated in 2005, "She Changes" is a large-scale public art work. Its structure consists of three robust steel poles, of varying heights, which support a large metal ring. From this ring hangs a vast and intricate net, woven with a special architectural fiber. What makes it particularly remarkable is its flexibility, allowing the monumental structure to interact and gracefully adapt to the movements of the wind.

Symbolism and Maritime Heritage

The design of "She Changes" was conceived to evoke and celebrate the deep connection of the Porto and Matosinhos region to the sea and its industrial heritage. The support poles, painted with a striped pattern, recall the chimneys of old factories and the lighthouses that guide sailors along the coast. The net itself symbolizes the importance of fishing activity, a pillar of the local economy and culture. For many who observe it, the sculpture takes on diverse meanings, from fishermen's nets and boat sails to water ripples or the delicacy of Portuguese lace.

The Dance of the Wind

Thanks to its design with malleable and lightweight materials, "She Changes" is in constant dialogue with the environment. The suspended and free net moves fluidly with the Atlantic breeze, creating a kind of aerial choreography. This dynamic interaction with the wind makes the sculpture always present a mutable appearance. Its shapes and volumes are continuously transformed, and the shadows it casts on the ground vary throughout the day, offering a unique visual experience at every moment of the visit.

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