MAUFA 2023

The Union of Parishes of Alenquer called on Mistaker Maker to participate in the birth of MAUFA - Mostra de Artes Urbanas Freguesia de Alenquer.

The months that preceded this first edition were of habitual immersion in the territory, in the identity references of Alenquer, in its historical and cultural richness. It would be during one of the visits, precisely when leaving the famous João Mário Museum, that some symbols painted on the wall would catch our attention. The answer to our curiosity was called Pintar e Cantar dos Reis, an ancestral tradition that has passed through several generations and which has been National Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2021.

At that same moment, it was decided that this would be one of the themes to be addressed in this 1st edition of MAUFA and for such a sensitive mission, we challenged the artist Mariana Malhão, so that she could delve into this imaginary of stars, flowers, hearts and painted vases, where each element, each positioning and color has its own symbolism.

A “Noite de Pintar dos Reis” (Night of Painting of the Kings) tells the story of a Twelfth Night, from the 5th to the 6th of January, in this territory Night of Painting and Song of the Kings, which is made up of several special moments, from the beginning of the singing by the scorer, the choir's response, the practice of singing "in lockstep", the moment of sharing in painting or the final banquet. All this until dawn, where you can see what was marked in each of the houses in the villages where this tradition prevails.

Aiming to promote the dissemination, reflection and sharing of information and curiosities about this centuries-old tradition in the territory of Alenquer, the mural intervention took place at the Centro Escolar de Paredes. Location, where we also held an accounts workshop, also taking this tradition as its theme.

The artist Pitanga was given the challenge of working at EB1 School of Alenquer, with the aim of developing a mural with a more participatory nature with the school community.

With the Sustainable Development Goals as its motto, Pitanga worked on the topic of Drinking Water and Sanitation (SDG no. 6). After some sessions of sharing and thematic contextualization between the artist and the school community, it was up to the students to put into drawings their reflections on the problem of water scarcity, observe and portray the fauna and flora that populate the Alenquer River, there just a few steps away, meters from the perimeter of the Chemina School, as it is affectionately called.

After an intense week of work, the transformative and unifying power of art is proven. From the Village's natural ecosystem, we moved to the wall that flanks the school, and in turn, the message and color of the wall were transposed onto the walls of the school itself. With the entire process that resulted in "Corrente de Vida" environmental awareness was gained, in the streets, in the playground, in the classrooms and a color that the school and those who inhabit it, have long deserved.

In addition to these actions, we held an edition of LATA 65 – Urban Art workshop for the Elderly, in which users from Santa Casa da Misericórdia and the University of Third Age of Alenquer participated.

Public Art Event

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Clients

Alenquer Union of Parishes

Services

curation and co-production

Location

Alenquer


Artists

Artistas Mariana Malhão (Portugal) e Pitanga (Portugal)

Workshops

LATA 65 | Urban Art Workshop for Seniors (Portugal)
Criar e Contar os Reis do mural para a famíla with Mariana Malhão (Portugal)


Artworks created

3

Artist: Pitanga (Corrente de vida)

Artist: Drawings created by school students from Escola Básica EB1 de Alenquer

Artist: Mariana Malhão (Noite de Pintar dos Reis)

Workshop: ‘Criar e Contar os Reis do mural para a família’ with Mariana Malhão

Workshop: LATA 65 | Urban Art Workshop for Seniors

Date: 2023 | 28th may – 4th june


Photo Credit Mistaker Maker