26 October 2024
"O que faz falta": exhibition celebrating 50 years of architecture in democracy
Casa da Arquitectura is joining the moment of celebration and reflection around the 50th anniversary of the April Revolution with the exhibition "O que faz falta. 50 years of Portuguese architecture in democracy", which is curated by architects Jorge Figueira (curator) and Ana Neiva (deputy curator).
The title of the exhibition pays homage to one of the figures of April, José Afonso, and to the song "O que faz falta", from the album Coro dos Tribunais, released in 1974.
In the words of the curators, "the general aim of the exhibition is to establish a panoramic reading of architectural production between the Revolution of April 1974 and the present day (2024), revealing how architecture was, and is, both a reflection and an incentive of the democratic regime in Portugal. In this sense, the projects selected reflect the ways in which architecture has implemented various public programmes, taking into account the geographical diversity of the country, both continental and insular, and the contribution of architects from different backgrounds and generations."
The exhibition "O que faz falta. 50 years of Portuguese architecture in democracy" is taken from the "50 years of Portuguese Contemporary Architecture" collection, a collection created by Casa da Arquitectura that analyses the production of architecture in the democratic period, with the aim of creating a collection with a territorial and temporal focus. This collection, curated by Carlos Machado e Moura, Graça Correia, João Belo Rodeia, Jorge Figueira, Paula Melâneo and Ricardo Carvalho, aims to promote study and research by all interested parties and from which various thematic readings will be drawn in future exhibitions, activities and publications.
Scheduled to open on 26 October 2024 at Casa da Arquitectura, this exhibition will be accompanied by a parallel programme curated by architects Nuno Sampaio and Jorge Figueira. The exhibition will run until 7 September 2025.
‘O que faz falta. 50 years of portuguese architecture in democracy’ has the High Patronage of the President of the Republic and the support of the Ministry of Culture and is part of the Official Programme of the Commemorations of the 50th anniversary of 25 April.
In the words of the curators, "the general aim of the exhibition is to establish a panoramic reading of architectural production between the Revolution of April 1974 and the present day (2024), revealing how architecture was, and is, both a reflection and an incentive of the democratic regime in Portugal. In this sense, the projects selected reflect the ways in which architecture has implemented various public programmes, taking into account the geographical diversity of the country, both continental and insular, and the contribution of architects from different backgrounds and generations."
The exhibition "O que faz falta. 50 years of Portuguese architecture in democracy" is taken from the "50 years of Portuguese Contemporary Architecture" collection, a collection created by Casa da Arquitectura that analyses the production of architecture in the democratic period, with the aim of creating a collection with a territorial and temporal focus. This collection, curated by Carlos Machado e Moura, Graça Correia, João Belo Rodeia, Jorge Figueira, Paula Melâneo and Ricardo Carvalho, aims to promote study and research by all interested parties and from which various thematic readings will be drawn in future exhibitions, activities and publications.
An exhibition in five modules
Occupying an impressive 700m2, the exhibition is divided into five temporal modules:
1 - Revolution (74-83)
This deals with the revolutionary moment and the decade that followed the ‘hot’ years, leading to the moment of liberal stabilisation - the emergence of new public programmes and the definition of fundamental rights.
2 - Europe (84-93)
Reflects the years surrounding accession to the European Community (1986) and its consequences in terms of territorial infrastructure, access to funds that equipped many Portuguese cities and the consequent internationalisation of Portuguese architecture.
3 - Fin-de-Siecle (94-03)
Adapting the expression of the French context at the end of the 19th century, it reflects on the tension at the end of the century, the review and balance of the past and the projection of the future Troika (04-13).
4 - Troika (04-13)
It deals with the economic crisis and (European) identity that the country has gone through, as well as the consequent reconfigurations and adjustments to professional practice, in parallel with the exponential growth of tourism.
5 - Wi-fi (14-23)
Reflects on technological changes, digitalisation, ongoing cultural conflicts and the urgency of the climate agenda, i.e. the challenges, debates and demands of contemporary times.
Consisting of models, original drawings and photographs, the exhibition will dialogue with different socio-cultural contexts, calling on references from literature, cinema and documentaries and paying tribute to a group of personalities outside architecture who are key figures in Portuguese history and society.
‘O que faz falta. 50 years of portuguese architecture in democracy’ has the High Patronage of the President of the Republic and the support of the Ministry of Culture and is part of the Official Programme of the Commemorations of the 50th anniversary of 25 April.
Documents to download
Institucional Partner
Portuguese contemporary art network
Strategic Partner
Patron
Media Partner
Official Transport
Official Photography
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