BE THERE
FARO MODERNISM WEEKEND 2024
BE THERE
FARO MODERNISM WEEKEND 2024
A much-anticipated annual event, this journey into the past, gets better and broader in its appeal each year, thanks to the dedication of organisers Christophe and Angie de Oliveira, the founders of The Modernist Faro, in collaboration with the Municipality of Faro.
Faro Modernism is so vast, diverse, and eclectic that presenting it in a single weekend has proved to be something of a challenge to the couple who are passionate about the subject and always looking for more. In the past, highlighting the splendour of the architectural movement and unveiling Faro’s fantastic and undiscovered Modernist heritage to the world, this year’s event aims to showcase its diversity and richness to an audience that comes back for more every time, fascinated by the history of what has been uncovered.
During this weekend celebration, the Algarvians attending will gain a deeper understanding and reinterpretation of their architectural heritage, while foreign visitors – there is a fast-growing number – are attracted by the opportunity to delve into a very glorious design past and amazed by the creativity of the modern movement in Faro decades ago. Despite the extreme dictatorship ruling the country, and the isolation of the Algarve at that time, Faro emerged as a real cluster of architectural and design creativity, arguably the most prolific in southern Europe.
Christophe explained the composition of the weekend. “We will demonstrate the diversity of Faro’s architecture in several ways,” he says. “Diversity in construction, from luxury residential villas and high-standard collective buildings to functional and innovative social housing, as well as futuristic villas. Artistic diversity, showcasing azulejos used as art pieces, sculptures, and creative use of colours (polychromy). And diversity in inspiration: Designs inspired by nature, geometry, exotic Latin American influences, and eccentric shapes.”
The 2024 edition, 8-10 November, aims to highlight the tremendous value of Faro Modernism in the city and the region. “It represents something unique,” says Christophe, “a special history and a source of inspiration for the future.
“To this end, we’ve invited five artists from the Algarve – Ricardo Coelho, João Canhão, Leandro Marcos, Miguel Cheta and Tiago Batista, and Richard Walker from the UK to create contemporary art inspired by Faro Modernism. In our globalized world, there’s a need to return to our roots to understand our identity, origins, and surroundings, using this knowledge to foster creativity and distinctiveness.“
Get the detail in full in AlgarvePLUS November issue, out now.
All events during the Faro Modernist Weekend will take place in Faro city, with the exception of the Beach Tour. The main venue for the Art Expo, networking events, and the conference will be the Fábrica da Cerveja.
For more information and to book tickets, visit themodernistweekend.com
Words: Eduardo Judice
Photography: Aymeric Warmé-Janville