Informality as resistance_Residency

I believe that the space we inhabit influences our behavior. When people use that space in ways other than intended, they make a strong statement—whether consciously or unconsciously.

Before starting my residency, I didn’t plan a specific project because I wasn’t familiar with Zambujal and I wanted the project to be shaped by the local community. During the first week, I simply explored the area and got to know the residents. I then placed a map of the neighborhood outside the association where I was staying, making it easily accessible for people.

I asked the residents to mark a place on the map that held personal significance to them and share their thoughts in any way they wished. They then drew a symbol on the map with their name, so over time, the map itself could evolve into a collective artwork for the neighborhood, hopefully helping to bring attention on Zambujal’s urban design and the ways its spaces are used.