It’s time to look up…

As we ease to our normal (almost, at least!) lives and outings, take time to stroll through the streets of Porto, especially the most renowned Rua de Santa Catarina and gaze at the sky, literally!

This street is as creative as it gets with the original coated ceiling that mixes textures and colours to amaze passers-by and even those who, from a distance, manage to spot the installation themed Paisagem Etérea [Ethereal Landscape”, free translation], authored by artist Madalena Martins. The installation is hanging above the Rua de Santa Catarina. This is no other than a welcome vow by the Municipality of Porto to the trade sector, after so many months of a harsh absence of human interaction, of in-person customer sales.

This installation is aimed at inspiring the public to return to the simple pleasures of shop window or go shopping at stores that have been lining up in the street for so long, and long they have awaited for this moment to re-join the smooth and very much welcome hustle and bustle of a busy (ier) street.

Everyone’s invited to enjoy this sensory and immersive journey, where the dominant hue is celestial blue, the colour of the bright summer sky that invites to smooth and relaxed outings, combined with red and yellow to counterpart the myriad of sensations. It’s time to feel the breeze and look up!

The installation is authored by artist Madalena Martins, a graduate of Communication Design by the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto. She resides in Porto and has always been fascinated by the shops and stores of the Invicta. This installation is themed Paisagem Etérea [Ethereal Landscape”, free translation].

It is worth recalling the Porto Municipal programme to boost the business activities in the city, which already granted circa 117 thousand euros discounts in local and traditional trade in the city. This measure provides for a 2-euro discount for each 20-euro buy in local stores that have adhered to the municipal support programme. The measure is in place until 30 July.