Map of Porto Public Art offers 5 outdoor itineraries to discover Porto

A new sculpture by Julião Sarmento is part of the "Rota da Água" [The Water Route], one of the five thematic itineraries in the context of the true open air museum that Porto is becoming and that encompasses the materialisation of concepts such as "Liquid City "and "Expanded Culture" that have been the pillars of the Culture Department in Porto City Hall.

"Self-portrait as a fountain" is the title of the first public objet d'art by Julião Sarmento in Porto. It is located in the Nova Sintra gardens, and headquarters to the municipal company Águas do Porto.  "Self-portrait as a fountain" is modelled after sculptor Bruce Nauman, taking on a feminine form.

This sculpture is part of the "Water Route", which alongside the Historic Route, the Arts Route, the School of Fine Arts and Contemporary Art Routes make up the map of Public Art for the city of Porto.

As Mayor Rui Moreira explained, this Public Art Map underlines the Public Art Programme launched two years ago, with a strong contribution by Paulo Cunha e Silva (former Councilman for Culture in Porto City Hall), whose visionary idea started to materialise with the inauguration of a panel by Fernando Lanhas in Ribeira tunnel.

"The programme aims to create a true open air museum, one that permeates the entire city", Mayor Rui Moreira said.

The Map of Public Art will be available for free at tourist information offices and at the airport. Also available here.