[ The sky is the limit ]

 

[ Fly away II ]

 

[ Fly away ]

 

Podia ser assim simples: um balão, uma brisa persistente e uma viagem para um lugar longínquo... Mais um extraordinário graffiti em Miguel Bombarda, Porto.

It could be this simple: a balloon, a persistent breeze and a journey to somewhere far away... Another extraordinary graffiti in Miguel Bombarda, Porto.

[ Golden Heart IV ]

 

É uma vez mais de louvar a forma como Miguel Bombarda se reinventa dia após dia. Tivemos o [ Golden Heart II ], depois o [ Golden Heart III ], estreamos agora o IV já com curiosidade em saber onde nos levará a imaginação deste artista, ainda mais, considerando os longos minutos que levam a escrever estas linhas, fruto de uma escassez da minha própria imaginação...

Não lhe poderei chamar bloqueio de escrita - ainda não ouço o cursor a piscar no ecrã como se de um relógio de pêndulo se tratasse - mas as incertezas que pairam no ar levam a que seja virtualmente impossível focar a mente apenas num lugar... mas todas as viagens começam da mesma forma: com o primeiro passo para fora da porta.

Amanhã é um novo dia, e quem sabe onde os nossos passos nos levarão?

One must commend the way in which Miguel Bombarda reinvents itself day after day. We've had [ Golden Heart II ], [ Golden Heart III ], we premier the IV and already curious to know where this artist's imagination will lead us, even more considering the long minutes that took to write these lines, fruit of a shortage in my own imagination...

I can't call it writers block - I'm not hearing the cursor blinking on the screen like if it was a pendulum clock - but all these uncertainties make it virtually impossible to focus the mind in only one place... but every journey begins the same way: with the first step out the door.

Tomorrow is a new day, and who knows where these steps will take us?

[ Optimism ]

 

 
Em Portugal dorme-se tranquilamente. A 8.500km de distância, sozinhos e com um oceano a separá-los de tudo e todos os que conhecem, numa pequena capela algures nos arredores de Las Vegas, duas pessoas olham nos olhos uma da outra e dizem um brilhante e sorridente "sim", seguido de "by the power invested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife".

E assim se conta a história. Um casamento é muito mais do que uma cerimónia onde se anuncia ao mundo numa festa gloriosa que duas pessoas estão juntas. Consegue ser muito mais do que isso quando é feito apenas e só porque duas pessoas sentem algo tão forte a uni-los que têm, simplesmente têm, de fazer algo em relação a isso.

Um simples SMS deu a notícia: "estamos de regresso, tesos, mas felizes". E nada mais importa do que a felicidade. Meus irmãos do coração, eu amo-vos com todas as minhas forças, e não vejo a hora de estarmos juntos para vos abraçar bem forte e dizer-vos olhos nos olhos o quanto estou feliz.

Mas a felicidade não ficou por aqui. Menos de 24h depois, um tipo diferente de mensagem, vindo de uma direcção totalmente diferente: "mamã às 19h54. Ema 3,3kg". Alegria das alegrias! Mais um abraço devido e mais um sorriso de orelha a orelha ao saber que estão bem, saudáveis e felizes.

Optimismo. Enquanto continuarmos a acreditar no Amor, vai correr tudo bem.

In Portugal people are sleeping quietly. 8.500km away, alone and with an ocean separating them from everything and everyone they know, in a small chapel somewhere around Las Vegas, two people look into each other's eyes and say a bright and smily "I do", followed by "by the power invested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife".

And that's how the story is told. A marriage is much more than a ceremony announcing the world in a glorious party and two people are together. It can be much more than that when it's done for the sole reason that two people feel something so strong binding them that they have too, they just have to do something about it.

A simple SMS sent the word: "we're heading back, we're broke, but we're happy". And nothing else matters more than happiness. My brothers of the heart, I love you with all my strength, and I can't wait to be with you so that I can hold you tight and tell you face to face how happy I am.

But the happiness didn't end here. Less than 24h later, a different kind of message, coming from a completely different direction: "mommy at 19h54. Ema 3,3Kg". Joy of joys! Another hug to be delivered and another smile from ear to ear learning that they're both ok, healthy and happy.

Optimism. As long as we keep believing in Love, everything is going to be alright.

[ Earthquake ]

 

 
Uma pequena nota prévia: esta foto foi tirada em Miguel Bombarda, no Porto, no dia 12 de Março, precisamente um dia depois do devastador terramoto e tsunami que atingiram o Japão. É na face da adversidade que se descobrem as mais fortes qualidades de um povo. Que nunca lhes falte a coragem e a determinação.

O terramoto que me leva à escrita hoje é interno. Por diversas vezes somos confrontados com situações que nos levam a repensar de forma profunda a nossa percepção do mundo e de quem nos rodeia, e estranhamente, os últimos meses têm sido mais ricos nesse tipo de experiências do que todo o resto da minha vida.

Princípios. Não são inatos, a menos dos que à sobrevivência dizem respeito, mas não é de sobrevivência que se trata quando falamos em honra, em palavra, em verdade. Se calhar sou demasiado matemático na minha forma de pensar. Se calhar penso demasiado. Se calhar dou demasiado valor à amizade. Se calhar dou demasiado de mim a quem me rodeia. Se calhar o mundo está certo, e eu estou errado. Se calhar sou mesmo eu que estou a conduzir no lado errado da auto-estrada... se calhar era mais fácil se a minha coluna vertebral fosse mais flexível. Se calhar era melhor não a ter.

Mas o facto é que a tenho, e não faz parte dos meus planos abdicar dela. Lamento se desiludo, mas o material de que sou feito não perde propriedades com a compressão, a tracção ou a flexão. O material de que sou feito não muda de estado quando aquecido nem fissura quando arrefecido. O material de que sou feito não é solúvel, não é miscível, e não muda de cor. Lamento se desiludo, mas estas são as minhas regras, e quem não as aprendeu ainda, vai conhecê-las em primeira mão quando menos esperar.

Alpinistas, ratazanas, furões, camaleões, lesmas, baratas, hienas, abutres, e outros que tais, prestem atenção: o terramoto passou, e as aulas estão a começar.

Just a quick note: this photo was taken in Miguel Bombarda, Porto, on March 12th, precisely one day after the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. It's in the face of adversity that the strongest qualities of a nation are discovered. May they never lack the courage and determination.

The earthquake that brings me to writing today is an internal one. Several times we're faced with situations that lead us to rethink our perception of the world and the ones that surround us in a profound way, and oddly, the last couple of months have been filled with these kind of experiences, more than the rest of my life.

Principles. You don't get them at birth, expect the survival ones, but we're not talking about survival when we think of honor, word, truth. Maybe I'm too mathematical in the way I think. Maybe I think too much. Maybe I value friendship too much. Maybe I give too much of myself to the ones that surround me. Maybe the world is right and I'm wrong. Maybe it's really me that's driving on the wrong side of the freeway... maybe it would be easier if my backbone was a bit more flexible. Maybe it would be better not to have one at all.

But the fact is that I have one, and I'm not planning to give it up. I'm sorry if I'm disappointing, but the material that I'm made of doesn't loose properties when it's compressed, tractioned or flexed. The material that I'm made of doesn't change state when it's heated, and it doesn't fissure when cooled. The material that I'm made of isn't soluble, it isn't mixable, and doesn't change color. I'm sorry if I'm disappointing, but those are my rules, and for those who haven't learned them yet, you're going to get them first hand when you least expect it.

Mountain climbers, rats, furets, chameleons, slugs, cockroaches, hyenas, vultures, and others alike, pay attention: the earthquake is over, and school's up.

[ Parlez plus fort ]

 

Sempre defendi que o "falar mais forte" nunca substituirá a força daquilo que se fala, mas adorei este graffiti a um passo do Vieux Port em Marselha. Tirada ontem de tarde num dia de descontracção depois de dois intensos dias de meeting da American Vintage.

I've always defended that "speaking stronger" will never replace the strength of what you say, but I loved this graffiti a step away from the Vieux Port in Marseille. Taken yesterday on a relaxation day after two intense days in the American Vintage meeting.

[ Matrioshka ]

 

A Matrioshka é um popular brinquedo russo. O nome é extremamente comum nas zonas rurais, com origens que se confundem com o conceito de "mãe", e representa as famílias matriarcais numerosas.

Sempre disse que a nossa passagem pelo mundo é definida não pela nossa obra, mas pelo nosso legado, pela nossa descendência, e no meio de tanta paternidade imbecil que já tive oportunidade de testemunhar, há também histórias de pais verdadeiramente dignas de nota.

É com um sorriso nos lábios que ouvia o Pedro falar do Afonso. Nunca conheci o pequeno, mas as histórias de idas ao estádio do Dragão povoavam os minutos de descontracção antes de tratar com ele de burocracias bancárias. "O meu puto é um espectáculo!", contava ele com os olhos a brilhar de orgulho.

Evidente que estas burocracias são cada vez mais resolvidas com dois cliques, e sem dar por ela, passou quase um ano sem passar naquela dependência bancária, e hoje de tarde fiquei surpreendido por não ver o bem disposto Pedro na sua secretária, como de costume.

Como é que se impede um coração de partir quando se descobre que o Afonso de 4 anos, depois de 8 meses a lutar contra um cancro, já não está entre nós?

Hoje é impossível esboçar um sorriso.

The Matrioshka is a popular russian toy. The name is extremely common in rural areas, with origins that merge with the concept of "mother", and represents big matriarchal families.

I've always said that our journey in the world isn't defined by the things we do, but by our legacy, our offspring, and with so many moronic examples of parenthood I've had the chance to witness, there are also noteworthy parenthood stories.

Hearing Pedro talking about Afonso always brought a smile to my face. I never knew the little guy, but the stories of the trips to the Dragão stadium filled those relaxing minutes before taking care of bank bureaucracies with him. "My kid is great!", he used to tell with a proud glitter in his eyes.

Of course these bureaucracies are more and more solved with a couple of clicks, and without noticing, almost a year has gone by without going through that bank, and this afternoon I was surprised not to see the ever happy Pedro at his desk as usual.

How do you stop a heart from breaking when you find out that 4 year old Afonso, after 8 months battling cancer, is no longer among us?

Today, I can't even fake a smile.

[ Police ]

 

Straight from Paris, here's a scene from todays walk. It's a stick-on graffiti that's growing more and more popular here, taken in the Bastille monument.

Small detail, I've finally fully converted to raw imagery, which is a bit more time consuming in the post-processing of the photos, but gives a whole new range of possibilities in intensity, color balance and contrast. This is one of my first try outs.

It's amazing how much I've missed this gorgeous city, and how much pleasure it gives me just to walk around and capture all the small details. There are no words to describe the mood difference between Paris and Porto. Some of the Christmas lightings are still up, and you can feel the joy and positive attitude everywhere you go - a refreshing change from the ever growing crisis and weird political climate from Portugal...

[ Pipe ]

 

Can you believe the craftsmanship that went into this stencil? I really can't stop looking at it and enjoying all the small details, the depth, the texture, and amazing work of art.

Yes, graffiti can be an art form, I won't get tired of trying to demonstrate it!

[ Batman ]

 

Back to the urban art, to take a look at some other pieces found in the Miguel Bombarda area.

This one, the funniest interpretation ever of a aging Batman with a "walker cane". Maybe that's it, maybe maybe our heroes are getting old, and no one cares, and no one steps up to take their place.

Maybe this general lack of believe is what caused the golden stencil in the bottom that bravely states "fuck it" - a state of mind that I deeply share in this last few days. A state of mind that is simply natural in me, considering that I've always believed that it's much better to make a bad decision than not to decide at all. If that is one of the features of a leader or of a martyr, I guess I'll only know it in the after life, but I do know that's who I am, so... "fuck it", and bring it on.

[ Golden Heart III ]

 

Talking about urban art, I noticed the refreshment on the [ Golden Heart II ] I posted a while back.

I think it pretty much speaks for itself, the colors, the refinement, another beautiful example of how something different and original in our usually grey streets is most welcomed.

Just a few moments after, when I was walking back, a huge drum party taking place at the very same spot. Another one of the countless reasons why I love Porto with all my heart...

[ We never land ]

 

Urban art as been getting more of my eye.

It's a real pleasure to see so many interesting and quality demonstrations here in Porto. This one was taken last saturday in the Miguel Bombarda street. A fine crafted, vintage looking stencil of angels that seem to be recruiting: "We never land".

Maybe it's a fact, with all the souls they have to keep safe, that angels don't get the time to land... Well, considering the recent news, that's a fact I need to give thanks for.

Thanks for keeping an eye out for me, big winged guy. I really appreciate it.

[ I miss you ]

 

 
I'm not a huge fan of stenciled graffiti's, but some of them work out pretty well. This one was taken in Paris last June and it illustrates perfectly how I feel about this gorgeous city: I miss you...

[ Art in the sky ]

If you could paint a graffiti anywhere, where would you put it? Well, probably in the sky where everyone could see it...

In Paris, they're not making them in the sky, but they're pretty close...

[ Now you see it, now you don't ]

Remember last tuesday's [ Love is the answer ] post? Well, this one was taken just yesterday in rue de Buci... I guess quality work on the street has that inherit risk to it... I'm just glad I took the first one, and love is still the answer!

[ Black Gold ]

Talking about the search for the perfect graffiti, the previous post brought to my mind the photos I took last week in Lisbon. This is really unusual to see in Portugal, taking the opportunity and turning an abandoned building into a work of art.

They made the same intervention in two separate buildings, I'll show you the second one later. I thought that this one deserved a single post - the abuse of the planet by the corporate interests - making even more sense these days with the BP inefficiency to solve the problem it created. Just another reason for the world to finally break away from the Black Gold tyranny.

[ Love is the answer ]

On the corner of rue de Buci and rue de Seine in Paris taken last May 6th, posted especially for Sofia that kept asking for the latest Paris photos.

Looking for the perfect graffiti, Einstein seems to have found the solution: 'Love is the answer'.

[ Mask ]

Here's a question that's older than time: why do people wear masks? Why does 'yes' mean 'no', why does 'I'll try' mean 'I don't care'?

I really don't what the future holds, but the present is showing me so many weird things about human nature, I can't even begin to express... I keep picking up and saving the rocks that are bouncing off my head, but it's getting harder and harder... But one thing is for sure: the day when I'll be the one handing out the punches is so close, so very close that I can feel it. And what a day that will be...

Another beautiful graffiti in Porto.