TRIBUTO por Alberto Vieira

On the day that marks the commemoration of the Carnation Revolution (April 25th 1974), the Municipality of Melgaço pays tribute to all Melgaço citizens who fought in the Overseas War and, in particular, to those who lost their lives in combat, namely: The 2nd Sergeant Osório Fernando Pires Lopes, born in Paços, died in combat on August 7th, 1966, in Mozambique. The Soldier Manuel José Fernandes Almeida, born in Vila, died in combat on January 26th, 1972, in Mozambique. “Tributo” (tribute) is the proposal of the artist from Minho, Alberto Vieira (PT, 1956), an artist with a strong expression in the public space, not favouring materials or technologies, diversifying his proposals between stone, metals or ceramics, seeking to create semiotics of easy apprehension and exploring collective iconography, with a strong sense of political engagement and social intervention. This time, he chose stainless steel to recover the form of barbed wire, which was used for the first time, in the context of an armed conflict, in World War I. The artist deconstructs the idea of barbed wire, which seems to be born from the earth, developing into knots and chaos that then breaks free, and breaks loose into the sky. The work sought to blend into the site, dialoguing with the pre-existing wall and garden area. “Tributo” was inaugurated on April 25th 2023 by the President of the Municipality of Melgaço, Manoel Batista.