Art Happens

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.