It's hard not to be overcome by an urge for contemplation during a stroll along the city of Santa Cruz's waterfront, between the Municipal Market and the Ribeira da Boaventura. Benches, many benches, to watch the sea and life unfold, without haste.

 

“maná desta terra” aims to reproduce this sensation, creating a new space that encourages observation and reflection, through the transposition of two specific elements of the landscape from one side of the tunnel that divides this route to the opposite side. The first, a tall “wall” of taro leaves that extends for several meters. The second, a set of five hollow, semi-cylindrical breakwaters, eroded in various ways.

 

Responding to the inevitable curiosity to understand what lies beyond the taro wall and using the protective (albeit damaged) form of one of the breakwaters, this piece presents a reflected and reconsidered reality, offering new colours and perspectives to another space in the city; a new bench.