Wonder Évora
WONDER EVORA
Artistic research project of the visual, graphic and three-dimensional exploration of the urban fabric and buildings of the city of Évora, always with a view to discovery.
Artistic research project for visual, graphic and three-dimensional exploration of the urban map and its buildings in the city of Évora, always with a view to discovery.
WONDER EVORA
CHAIA - UNIVERSITY OF ÉVORA
VISUAL ARTS / ARCHITECTURE
The "Cabinet of Wonder Évora" project has been showcasing drawings and geometric models created by students of the Integrated Master's Degree in Architecture at the School of Arts, University of Évora. The objects of study are the drawings and models themselves, the result of the students' exploration of the urban space of Évora — visual representations of a journey of discovery and innovation that reveals new and old perspectives on the city. The concept of the "cabinet of curiosities" (Cabinet of Wonder), also known as the "room of wonders", dates back to the great explorations of the 16th and 17th centuries, when collectors gathered rare and intriguing objects, as well as paintings and drawings.
This project invites the public to a visual and three-dimensional immersion in the urban fabric of Évora, exploring both the graphic and geometric aspects of its buildings, social memory and the preservation of material and immaterial heritage.
Through the practice of drawing, understood as an essential tool for refining the observation of architectural space, students narrate visual stories that portray environments, analytical processes and the collection of essential architectural elements. The models, in turn, materialize constructed moments that preserve memories and stories passed down through generations. Whether through graphic or three-dimensional representations, the artistic and individual gaze of the students reveals different ways of interpreting urban space, offering new perspectives on the architecture and buildings of Évora.
The project, in addition to the academic environment, seeks to establish a continuous connection between the city's past and present; it brings together graphic, cartographic, pictorial and three-dimensional representations, composing a constantly evolving visual mapping of the city of Évora, a city rich in history and architecture, which has been classified as a World Heritage Site since 1986 and will be the European Capital of Culture in 2027.
WELCOME
Wonder Évora
City of Évora | Students' Artistic Practices | Research Project
Researching Évora’s heritage is a fascinating task. Discovering the city’s rich graphic heritage, from its Roman roots to the present day. We can start with:
1. Historical Context : Detail the Roman foundation, its evolution during the medieval period, and its flourishing in the Renaissance period.
2. Architecture and Monuments : Analyze iconic structures such as the Cathedral, the Roman Temple, and the Chapel of Bones.
3. Cultural Heritage : Investigate traditions and the influence of the University of Évora.
4. Preservation and Challenges : Discuss conservation efforts and the challenges faced in contemporary times.
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WONDER ÉVORA
This project invites the public to a visual and three-dimensional immersion in the urban space of Évora, exploring the graphic and geometric richness of its buildings, as well as the social memory and preservation of heritage.
Drawing practice is used as a fundamental tool to refine the observation of architectural space, allowing students to narrate visual stories that capture environments and analytical processes.
The models, in turn, materialize constructed moments, preserving memories and stories that span generations. Thus, the artistic and individual perspective of the students reveals new perspectives on the architecture and buildings of Évora, establishing a connection between the city's past and present.
View Gallery
There may be no better way to communicate what we do than through images. As you browse our site, take a few moments to let your eyes linger here, and see if you can get a feel for our signature touch.
The Wonder Évora project has developed a line of research into the graphic, photographic or pictorial memory of the city of Évora. Researcher Guilherme Branco is developing this research, which began with his research for his dissertation for the Integrated Master's Degree in Architecture at the School of Arts of the University of Évora, entitled:
“Religious Heritage in the City of Évora: Proposal for an Inventory Methodology”.
This project aims to broaden the scope of the iconographic, cartographic, pictorial and photographic inventory of the monumental complex of the city of Évora, which constitute memories of the city's identity.
Heritage
Engraving of the Aqueduct Water Tower, 1867.
Drawing
Engraving of the Avis Gate, 1862 / Engraving of the Avis Gate, 1862.
Architecture
Engraving of the Chancel of the Cathedral, 1868.
Projeto de Investigação
The relationship between society and its cultural assets, most notably those called cultural heritage, is inexorably linked to the social, artistic and philosophical context of each period – revealing itself to be an accurate “mirror” of society and its values and principles, throughout its complexity, as Françoise Choay puts it. “The cult that is given to historical heritage today must deserve more than simple approval from us. It requires questioning, because it constitutes a revealing element, neglected but brilliant, of a condition of society and the issues it contains.” The relationship between society and its cultural assets, most notably those called cultural heritage, is inexorably linked to the social, artistic and philosophical context of each period – revealing itself to be an accurate “mirror” of society and its values and principles, throughout its complexity, as Françoise Choay puts it. “The cult that is given to historical heritage today must deserve more than simple approval from us. It requires questioning, because it constitutes a revealing element, neglected but brilliant, of a condition of society and the questions it encompasses.” In this crucial era, pioneering thinkers such as Riegl (1982) and Sitte (1965) laid the conceptual foundations for conceiving urban heritage as an interconnected whole. Riegl’s theory of values sought to interpret the conservation of monuments through the lens of their inherent cultural and historical value, prompting a move away from a purely materialist approach. At the same time, Sitte’s innovative perspective on the city as a historical continuum highlighted the need to derive guiding models for the development of the modern city from its historical, artistic and social evolution. In this crucial era, pioneering thinkers such as Riegl (1982) and Sitte (1965) laid the conceptual foundations for conceiving urban heritage as an interconnected whole. Riegl's value theory sought to interpret the conservation of monuments through the lens of their inherent cultural and historical value, driving a move away from a purely materialist approach. At the same time, Sitte's innovative perspective on the city as a historical continuum highlighted the need to derive guiding models for the development of the modern city from its historical, artistic and social evolution.
Wonder Évora Portfolio
Welcome to the Wonder Évora project portfolio. You will find a selection of works and exhibitions.
Discover Wonder
Conferences
Wonder Évora participated in the international seminar Transatlantic Dialogues: A line of activity was launched in 2024 that aims to foster dynamics of transatlantic dialogues on Architecture, urbanism, Public Art, participation, Design and the environment. This dialogue is intended to be developed between teachers, researchers, curators, public administration, producers and artists who express themselves in Portuguese and Spanish, with a focus on Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula, among other geographies.
This is an initiative co-produced by researcher Dr. Pedro Soares Neves from the University of Lisbon and Professor Dr. Lilian Amaral from the University of São Paulo, organizers of two synchronous seminars, one in Europe and the other in America, respectively APD - Architecture, Public Art, Design (online) and Nomadic Expedition Valongo Seminar (hybrid).
Project Researchers
Vítor dos Santos Gomes – Sculptor – Assistant Professor DAVD – School of Arts – University of Évora.
Maria do Céu Simões Tereno – Architect – Assistant Professor DARQ - School of Arts – University of Évora.
Guilherme Carlos Roque Branco - Architect - Évora.
Gonçalo Jardim - Sculptor – Guest Assistant Professor - DAVD – School of Arts – University of Évora.
Manoel Patrocínio - Art Historian - Prof. Assistant. DH - School of Social Sciences: University of Évora
Paulo Simões Rodrigues - Art Historian - Prof. Associate. DH - School of Social Sciences: University of Évora.
Silvia de Abreu - Architect: S. Paulo/Brazil.
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