Twelve thousand pairs of shoes and stacked, rotating geometric forms were installed in the city centre of Abrantes, Portugal from July 13th-20th. The installations were the two winning projects of Portugal’s 180 Creative Camp 2014, which was designed by the country's Canal 180 to promote Urban Interventions Projects.
The competition received 72 entries from 18 countries and was created in partnership with Archdaily, Canal 180, and the Municipality of Abrantes. The contest ran until June 8th with a jury that included Archdaily Executive Editor Becky Quintal, the Executive Director of Canal 180, and the President of the Municipality of Abrantes. The two winning projects each received 2,500 Euros to realize and install their work in Abrantes.
See photos and read more about the winning projects of 180 Creative Camp after the break.
"Karat" by Francesco Bernabei of Italy and Magnus Gustafsson of Sweden eloquently references the history of Abrantes, a city whose name derives from the Latin word for gold. "Karat" is composed of stacked, rotating geometric forms that reflect and interact with the surrounding facades in Abrantes' busiest public square. The reflection of the asymmetrical forms provides a moment of introspection for the viewer, while simultaneously serving as a reminder of progress and momentum. The project was built in Florence, Italy and transported to Abrantes where it was assembled on site.
"The 12 Thousand Pairs of Shoes from Abrantes" by Victor Lledó Garcia, Juan José Pérez Moncho and Mateo Fernández-Muro (Nodopía) of Spain creates new context for the history of the city. In 1807 during the French Invasion, residents of Abrantes were ordered by General Jean-Andoche Junot to donate their shoes to soldiers. In designing the project, the authors were resolved to return the shoes to the city of Abrantes through the installation of a shoe canopy over a public space. The installation serves as a reminder of the past, while providing shelter from the hot Portuguese sun.
More information about 180 Creative Camp can be found on their website.
