O Vale
Of the first intentions and desires – the Enlightenment of the valley–there were two major work tasks that determined this project. The first, to dig a hole in the ground. The second, to reflect the sunlight into the valley.
Digging the hole in the ground was a regular (daily) practice. Its size (area and depth) was related with both the valley and the villagers. In it self, it contained,in scale, the valley of Nodar.
From the top of the hill, shards of light were targeted (back and forth) into the hole.
The time of the final performance (presentation) was structured around the feeling of weariness from the daily labor, between the process of digging the hole, climbing to the top of the hill (to test the reflection of the light down wards) and climbing down the hillside.
The audience was invited to place themselves around the hole and/or being inits interior and/or head to the hilltop. The task of redirecting the sunlight on to the valley was also made by the audience.
Andrea Brandão is a Portuguese visual artist born in Vila Novade Gaia and living in Lisbon. Holding a B.A. in industrial design, she later studied fine arts at Ar.co (Arts and Visual Communication Center). As complementary activities she has been participating in several workshops of theatre, video,performance, dance and voice, directed by Laurent Simões,Sofia Neuparth and João Fiadeiro. It is worth mentioning her participation as performer in the dance piece “Trio Multiplicado” directed by the choreographer Tiago Guedes and in the performance/ installation “sexyMF” of Ana Borralho and João Galante.
Andrea has presented her visual / installation / performance pieces in other several collective exhibitions and screenings,both in Portugal and Austria.