Quinta do Mocho - Lisbon
Located half an hour outside of central Lisbon, Quinta do Mocho is one of the city's many social housing projects built cheaply and quickly in the 1990s to relocate and improve life of migrants from former Portuguese colonies (Angola, Cape verde, Guinea) living in "barracas" (a slum in Portuguese).
Historically, this neighbourhood had a reputation of harbouring organized groups dedicated to robbery and narcotics trafficking. The relocation of the residents to the newly built apartment blocks did little to end the bad reputation of Quinta do Mocho and it looked set to continue in a cycle of poverty, unemployment, violence and crime.
Around the year 2000, the municipality decided to try to remove the stigma that existed by putting into place a project which aimed to rejuvenate Quinta do Mocho through art.
In October 2014, a festival called "O Bairro i o Mundo" was born : it aimed to show "the neighbourhood to the world and bring the world to the neighbourhood". With the collaboration of talented artists from all over the world, the barren walls of Quinta do Mocho became the canvas for colourful and thought-provoking murals (100s of them), bringing life and a sense of community pride to the streets.
Quinta do Mocho became the largest open-air art gallery in Europe and a well-known tourist attraction. An association of local guides to lead tours of the neighbourhood was created. "A Casa da Cultura de Sacavém " was built, focusing on art and its various forms of expression that helps social integration and inclusion.
From a neighbourhood where businesses like super-markets and pharmacies refused to open due to the high crime rates and bus services wouldn't set up bus stops, soon became more accessible as crime and violence decreased.
Regardless of the increased security, life remains difficult for many of the underprivileged people who live there.
Historically, this neighbourhood had a reputation of harbouring organized groups dedicated to robbery and narcotics trafficking. The relocation of the residents to the newly built apartment blocks did little to end the bad reputation of Quinta do Mocho and it looked set to continue in a cycle of poverty, unemployment, violence and crime.
Around the year 2000, the municipality decided to try to remove the stigma that existed by putting into place a project which aimed to rejuvenate Quinta do Mocho through art.
In October 2014, a festival called "O Bairro i o Mundo" was born : it aimed to show "the neighbourhood to the world and bring the world to the neighbourhood". With the collaboration of talented artists from all over the world, the barren walls of Quinta do Mocho became the canvas for colourful and thought-provoking murals (100s of them), bringing life and a sense of community pride to the streets.
Quinta do Mocho became the largest open-air art gallery in Europe and a well-known tourist attraction. An association of local guides to lead tours of the neighbourhood was created. "A Casa da Cultura de Sacavém " was built, focusing on art and its various forms of expression that helps social integration and inclusion.
From a neighbourhood where businesses like super-markets and pharmacies refused to open due to the high crime rates and bus services wouldn't set up bus stops, soon became more accessible as crime and violence decreased.
Regardless of the increased security, life remains difficult for many of the underprivileged people who live there.
Arte Urbana
Astro Odv Cbs is a street artist from Paris active since the early 2000s who has made his distinctive trait the combination of curves, calligraphy, and dynamic forms. His style is based on optical illusion and geometric designs combined with three-dimensional effects.
Portuguese artist, HUARIU : works only in B&W and combines straight lines and shapes to create abstract and figurative designs.
French artist, MTO`s work highlights the forced and restless journey of migrants from here to there, pointing to how resourceless people are packed and sent away to wherever, repeatedly used to serve certain interests and then, when no longer needed, left behind.
French artist : MAYE, passionate about details and narration.
Neighbourhood
(L) Used spray cans are displayed as an art installation. (R) Paint on a mural starting to peel after nearly ten years on the wall.
(L) The walls of the local mosque. (R) The window of the church on the left sits besides the window of the mosque on the right.
Homage to Antonio Guterres for having voluntarily tutored mathematics to young residents of Quinta do Mocho .
The municipality put in place a project to renovate all the buildings starting in October 2023.
It is delayed and has yet to begin. Hopefully on my next visit in April 2024, I will discover a rejuvenated Quinta do Mocho and an improved way of living for all the residents.
It is delayed and has yet to begin. Hopefully on my next visit in April 2024, I will discover a rejuvenated Quinta do Mocho and an improved way of living for all the residents.