EDP has invited renowned artists and architects to create the Dams Art Route, a project that brings art and engineering together.
Explore this Route with us and discover the most creative dams in Portugal. We are looking forward to your visit!
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Note: EDP concluded in December 2020 the process of selling a portfolio of six water plants to an investor consortium, led by Engie. The portfolio of six dams in the Douro basin involved in this operation includes three reservoir plants - Foz Tua, Baixo Sabor e Feiticeiro, and three water wire plants Picote, Miranda and Bemposta.
Caniçada Dam
Vhils (Alexandre Farto)
Based upon one of the concepts that persist throughout Vhils' work, this large-scale mural was conceived as a tribute to mankind's entrepreneurial and constructive spirit, while also reflecting the intention to humanize built heritage so that the public can relate to and reflect on such structures. The piece also pays homage to the resilience of local communities in the face of the rural exodus that has been affecting the protection of local identity and the underlying cultural heritage.
Frades Dam
Graça Morais
350 meters deep, the 22,126 Viúva Lamego tiles were hand-painted according to the artist's original drawings: an olive tree branch that takes over twenty panels against a yellow and sepia green background. The venue has acquired a new brightness, which has completely changed the experience of all those who visit or work in this space.
Alqueva Dam
João Louro
Cut out in corten steel, the sentence 'ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER' is 61 meters long and each letter is 2 meters high. With this sentence, the artist wanted to convey the idea that a 'clear day' is an inner state, and that only thus can we imagine and build our future - without clouds. The area is restful and invites visitors to reflect on this sentence, which contrasts with the sky and the water.
Alto-Lindoso Dam
José Rodrigues
15 meters high and comprised of 10 triangular elements, this sculpture focuses on a conduit that makes water flow down along its obelisks. With this sculpture, made with local granite stone, José Rodrigues sought to draw a contrast between nature and advanced technology, highlighting water as a symbol of life.
The book “Sobre a paisagem – Arte nas barragens portuguesas”
About the landscape – Art at Portuguese dams
The Art Route for Dams has reinforced the Group's DNA as an art promoter and has demonstrated that it is possible to give a new face to already emblematic structures, not only in terms of their scale, but also with regard to their historical and strategic importance.
The book “About the landscape – Art at Portuguese dams” is born out of the importance of recording the history of these works, contextualizing them through explanations provided by visual artists and architects themselves.
It was developed with the curatorship of Nuno Crespo, the graphic and design production of Pedro Falcão, photography by André Cepeda, texts by Isabel Lucas and collaborations with Aurora Carapinha, Francesco Careri, Nuno Crespo and Luísa Salvador.
Learn more about this book and see the points of sale around the world.
Share your photos!
If you visit these dams, don't forget to record the occasion! Share your photos with the hashtag #barragenscomarte
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