Terra Cobre is a new creation commissioned by BoCA to Marco da Silva Ferreira, a choreographer and dancer and João Pais Filipe, a musician and sculptor. Originating from the village of Alcáçovas in Alentejo, this work intersects traditional cowbell art with contemporary artistic practices rooted in percussion and dance.
Cowbells were declared an Urgent Safeguarding Need by UNESCO in 2015, and in Terra Cobre, the artists challenge traditional Portuguese iconography and symbolism, placing it in an exploratory and sensory context.
The work consists of a sculptural and sonic installation, visitable in a designated space, and a 50-minute performance by Marco and João taking place at the beginning or ending of the installation. The installation serves as a backdrop for the performance, contributing to the atmospheric and performative narrative.
Marco and João, who both perform in C A R C A Ç A, explore concepts of identity, culture, and society, reinterpreting ancient cultural heritage and challenging established conventions. They use cowbell materials to create a sculptural, sonic, and physical composition, depicting a landscape full of memories where shepherds and beasts converge.
Creation: Marco da Silva Ferreira, João Pais Filipe
Technical coordination and Sound: João Monteiro
Executive production: Ana Ademar, Hugo Alves Caroça and Mafalda Bastos
Production: P-ulso and BoCA – Biennial of Contemporary Arts
Co-production: Futurama and P-ulso
Artistic residency: O Espaço do Tempo
Support: Fábrica de Chocalhos Pardalinho
Diffusion: ART HAPPENS
| Date | Performance | City Country | Organisation/Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18.07.2024 | Terra Cobre | Aveiro (pt) | Festival dos Canais |
| 19.07.2024 | Terra Cobre | Aveiro (pt) | Festival dos Canais |
| 14.10.2023 | Terra Cobre | Lisbon (pt) | Bienal BoCA / Estufa Fria de Lisboa |
| 01.10.2023 | Terra Cobre | Lisbon (pt) | Bienal BoCA / Estufa Fria de Lisboa |
| 30.09.2023 | Terra Cobre | Lisbon (pt) | Bienal BoCA / Estufa Fria de Lisboa |
| 28.09.2023 | Terra Cobre (premiere) | Faro (pt) | Bienal BoCA / Museu de Municipal |