The cultural program "A Nossa Cultura" recently visited the Teatro Viriato to cover the closing stages of the exhibition titled "O Teatro Também é Nossa Casa." Host Martim Madeira joined curator Ângela to explore the final interactive windows designed to inspire the public and highlight the serendipitous nature of life. The first installation, dedicated to horizons, features a sea scene with a hand-crank mechanism that animates the waves. This piece symbolizes transcending boundaries and expanding beyond physical barriers, drawing on the deep historical connection between theater and maritime professions. Ângela noted that much theatrical vocabulary originates from ships, making a tribute to the horizon essential for this display.
Adjacent to the sea is the window of "almejar," or aspiring, which presents a set of stairs reaching up to a ceiling painted as the Moon. This installation represents the limitless imagination inherent in theater makers and aims to inspire visitors to constantly strive for new dreams and higher goals. The concept encourages an attitude of moving beyond contours and always seeking to climb one more step toward a new place or dream.
The final element, titled "O sonho do teatro" (The Dream of Theater), is located within the theater's elevator that leads to the rooftop terrace. This piece utilizes a kaleidoscope mechanism containing liquids and small pieces shaped like the masks of comedy and tragedy. As the elevator moves, these elements mix to create diverse compositions, symbolizing the fluid and ever-changing nature of theatrical dreams. Ângela explained that the dream is kept in a liquid state to represent its potential for infinite variation through the interplay of drama and comedy.
In concluding the tour, Ângela emphasized that theater is a place with open doors where visitors are invited to participate in building culture and reimagining the space. She also highlighted the importance of accidents and imperfections, urging the audience to remain attentive to serendipity in both life and art. The exhibition remains open at Teatro Viriato until at least December, offering the public an opportunity to engage with these installations before they close.
Sources: Observador.