Águas Correntes

"Águas Correntes", by Joana Tomas and Vincent Rault, is the winning work in the third edition of the Art in Public Space & Sustainability Award, organised by dstgroup and zet gallery. This work is born from the vision of a staircase emerging from the water in order to reach the sky. Drops fall from its steps, frozen between the elements, and their reflections transform this everyday archetype into an impossible object. This image carries with it a message about the challenges we face with climate change and rising sea levels. The choice of surplus and recycled materials for the construction of the staircase not only reduces the environmental impact of the work, but also adds layers of meaning to its narrative. These materials, which would otherwise be discarded, are re-signified and transformed into a work of art that celebrates human creativity and the capacity for regeneration. Thus, the staircase is not just a physical structure, but a multifaceted symbol of hope, progress and connection. It's a poetic statement about the intersection of art, nature and sustainability. It is an invitation to dance in the rain of change, embracing each drop as a promise of rebirth.