"Memories as Raw Material"

Street Art as a tribute to Santa Clara Wool Factory, Coimbra

FIO | memórias como matéria-prima (2016-04) by SAMINAMistaker Maker

"Memories as Raw Material"

The artistic project "FIO | Memórias como Matéria-Prima" ("Memories as Raw Material") of a strong community and participative nature, worked on the memory of the Santa Clara Wool Factory, giving special prominence to its owners and to all who worked on it.

FIO | memórias como matéria-prima (2016-04) by SAMINAMistaker Maker

The Santa Clara Wool Factory (Fábrica de Lanifícios de Santa Clara) in Coimbra was one of Portugal’s oldest and most significant textile factories. Established in the late 19th century, it played a crucial role in the country's wool industry, producing high-quality fabrics.

FIO | memórias como matéria-prima (2016-04) by SAMINAMistaker Maker

The factory was built near the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, taking advantage of the nearby Mondego River for water supply and energy. It became a major employer in Coimbra, contributing to the region’s industrial development.

FIO | memórias como matéria-prima (2016-04) by SAMINAMistaker Maker

Like many traditional industries, it struggled with modernization and economic shifts, leading to its decline in the late 20th century. The factory eventually closed, and the building was left abandoned for years. Today, it has been repurposed for cultural and educational uses.

FIO | memórias como matéria-prima (2016-04) by SAMINAMistaker Maker

The artistic proposal of FIO took place in 4 (four) phases, both in terms of typology of work and different in relation to the level of community participation that is intended to be achieved, more or less active, although in all desirous of creating direct links with the community, be it an artistic, historical, family or simply local community.

FIO | memórias como matéria-prima (2016-04) by SAMINAMistaker Maker

After a first approach to the last inhabitants of the Convent, which was the work base of the entire FIO...

FIO | memórias como matéria-prima (2016-04) by SAMINAMistaker Maker

...started the artistic activities, promoting a stencil workshop led by the renowned urban artist Samina, with open participation to all the community.

FIO | memórias como matéria-prima (2016-04) by SAMINAMistaker Maker

This ended, with the painting of the work produced at strategic sites, communicating the whole intention of this project, but also, announcing the opening of the Convent as a cultural equipment to the city.

FIO | memórias como matéria-prima (2016-04) by SAMINAMistaker Maker

FIO and all the accumulation of memories registered in the previous phases of work, was extended and cemented in the city of Coimbra and surroundings, through a large mural painting intervention in a prominent place.

FIO | memórias como matéria-prima (2016-04) by SAMINAMistaker Maker

Something that was repeated in the interior of the Convent São Francisco, inviting the entire community to this (re)discovery.

Credits: Story

Public Art Project

Client:
Convento são Francisco | Coimbra City Council

Services:
Concept, curation, graphic identity, development and production

Location:
Coimbra, Portugal

Artist:
Samina (Portugal)

Artworks created:
Phase 01 - community stencil workshop _ 14
Phase 02 - indoor mural _ 1
Phase 03 - documentary 'FIO' _ 1
Phase 04 - outdoor mural _ 1

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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