Performative Intervention

“The Thread of Water: Rituals for Water Resilience” by artist Seila Fernández Arconada

A participatory performative intervention inspired by the connections to water in Esposende, from memories of floods to contemporary forms of relationship, adaptation, and transformation of water ecosystems in times of uncertainty. This contemporary ritual proposes a space for imagination and coexistence with water, activating the ancient Bonança old lighthouse during the full moon as a symbolic element of light, guidance, and memory. It is a moment of encounter between body, territory, and water, where memory, presence, and the future intersect. 

Situated on the local territory, this collective experience was built around a dynamic-participatory journey. A sound guidance piece, featuring an experimental narrative on flooding and local water relationality, was broadcast across multiple local radio stations, transforming the environment into a shared performance space. The audio led participants from the ruins of the old lighthouse toward the coastal area, where they were invited to bring some elements to create a collective ex-voto* as an offering of gratitude and protection.

Following this ritual, participants shared their own reflections on "how to be more resilient to water?" before experiencing a site-specific Augmented Reality (AR) sculpture designed to reveal deeper layers of the research and highlight more uncertain relationships with water. The sculpture incorporates a full 28-day lunar cycle of reflections as well as other elements. (to know more and experience the interactive AR element yourself, visit the link at the bottom of the page).

***Ex-votos are traditional offerings, creations, or expressions of gratitude presented to a deity or sacred space in thanks for protection or a miracle during a crisis.

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This outdoor gathering brings a cycle to a close, during which the exhibition “The Thread of Water: Embracing the Flow of Water for Resilient Futures” was on display at the Municipal Archive of Esposende. Over the course of about a month, the exhibition was in constant transformation, as the artist integrated new interventions based on research and interactions with visitors. The exhibition just closed giving the space for this closing cycle. 

This event was an integral part of the Águas Vivas Festival, organised by Rio Neiva - Environmental NGO. Promoted by S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION in collaboration with the Fão Parish Council, the Municipality of Esposende, the Municipal Archive, and the Litoral Norte Natural Park.