Margins
artistic incursions into the public sphereM.3 . 00h30
The River Douro awoke with the desire to be the first of rivers to reach where no other had gone. And so it ran, with the strength of the gold it carried in its bed, to reclaim the time lost in that long sleep.
“Margens” is a project of community creation within the initiative “Vestir a Primavera”, developed by the company Teatro e Marionetas de Mandrágora in partnership with the Municipality of Gondomar since 2016. This project centers on the region’s identity and draws inspiration from the legend of the Douro River’s creation, a tale deeply bound to the natural landscape of the riverbanks. The legend serves as the thematic foundation for artistic exploration and community involvement in the creation of a puppet theatre performance.
The development of “Margens” includes a collaboration with local schools, where students engage in the creation of puppets using sustainable materials. These puppets are designed to represent fish, embodying the spirit of the river and drawing inspiration from the region's rich cultural heritage. This process not only fosters creativity and technical skills but also encourages an appreciation for the environment and the historical narratives that shape local identity.
The project also involves intense work with members of the “Associação Social de Silveirinhos”, who join the performance as agents of this collective creation. Through their participation, they acquire valuable experience in the fields of theatre, puppetry, and performance art, while strengthening their connection to the community and their cultural roots.
Working with various artists and the community reinforces the power of artistic expression to promote the sharing of knowledge and experience. The project employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining elements of puppet making, manipulation, and interpretation. It provides a unique platform for critical thinking, debate, and artistic expression, while deepening the understanding of traditions.
The involvement of different age groups and sectors of the community in “Margens” fosters social cohesion and intergenerational exchange.
video
- Estreia 2025 [PROMOTIONAL]
- Promocional Estreia 2025 [PROMOTIONAL]
download
IMAGERY ARCHIVE PROMO 35.1 MBPROMO DOSSIER - EN 1.6 MB
PROMO DOSSIER COMPRESSED - EN 703.1 KB
community project
The impact of artistic work on the community allows us to consider it an excellent tool for empowering vulnerable individuals. Several projects implemented by different artistic organizations lead us to conclude that there are integrative behavioral improvements in the community.Government support for the development of various programs in this area is an important facilitating factor for various associations and institutions that actively address this issue, creating social development projects through art.
“The concept of Education through Art has been the subject of reflection by some educators, philosophers, and even historians, fitting into the emergence of ‘new values and concepts’ in contexts of social, economic, and ideological transformation. Thus, several writings have emerged, nationally and internationally, as a product of concern and reflection.” (Meira, 2015).
In line with this thinking, the work presented demonstrates the importance of artistic practice in communities that welcome individuals with different vulnerabilities, from different age groups.
Although Morin has a very clear view of our thought process and its “hidden principles,” his view of things and the world is distorted by beliefs and, above all, by the goal of lifting the veil on a widespread belief that individuals in situations of vulnerability only enjoy artistic contact as social positivism, without this being properly analyzed. The creator of art and their creative potential are fundamental in these socially segregated communities. (Morin, 2005)