The Memory of Stones

An artistic dialogue between landscape and community

Year :

2024

Location :

Louriçal Do Campo, Portugal

“I wanted the rocks to speak.” – Françoise Schein

A collective creative process, open to all

A Memória das Pedras (The Memory of Stones) is a participatory artwork created in the village of Louriçal do Campo, nestled in the heart of the Serra da Gardunha, in Portugal’s Beira Baixa region. This 40 m² mural by artist Françoise Schein, was brought to life with the active involvement of more than 100 local residents. The project celebrates the profound connection between the region’s timeless landscapes and the human stories that shape them, while highlighting its natural and cultural heritage.

Painted on traditional azulejos tiles, the mural was developed during four weeks of workshops held in 2023. These workshops gave participants with the opportunity to share their personal stories and visually translate them onto ceramic tiles, completing the mural’s original design. Through this process, the project deepened the residents’ connection to their land, fostering both a collective and intimate expression of local memory.

A participatory artwork at the heart of the Serra da Gardunha

The project began after Françoise Schein’s visit to Louriçal do Campo. Fascinated by the region’s landscapes and distinctive rocks, she envisioned a piece that would weave together the memories of the inhabitants with the surrounding natural environment. Inspired by the Gardunha’s unique rock formations, she designed a mural where each silhouette of the stones represents a fragment of local history.

“Louriçal is a beautiful village surrounded by almost surreal rocks. As I observed them, I immediately imagined a mural capturing the connection between geography and human narrative” Françoise explained.

During the workshops, participants chose themes connected to their lives, such as landscapes, animals, or personal memories. The contributions included depictions of local streams, the Ocreza River, and the Marateca River, which nourish the region, as well as mythological and legendary figures including enchanted princesses from local folklore. These “memories of the stones” symbolize the connection between the past and the present.

During the workshops, participants chose themes tied to their lives, such as landscapes, animals, or personal memories. The contributions included depictions of the local streams, the Ocreza River, and the Marateca River, which nourish the region, as well as mythological and legendary figures like enchanted princesses drawn from local folklore. These “memories of the rocks” symbolize the enduring connection between past and present.

Inaugurated on October 27, 2024, the mural is installed in the Ema and Estela Ramos Preto Garden in Louriçal do Campo. Located at the heart of the village, it honors the intimate and proud relationship between the residents and their land, celebrating their respect and love for the landscapes of the Serra da Gardunha—a haven for hiking, camping, and nature enthusiasts.

“Loving a place means inscribing it into a shared story, where every voice matters.” – Françoise Schein

CONCEPTION

ARTIST
Françoise Schein

with the participation of the residents of Lourical do Campo

Amanda & Fiona Möller, Lourdes & Neves Amoroso, Conceição Amoroso, Carina Breia, Raquel & Guilherme Clemente, Andreia Roque, Manuel Duarte Roque Marcos, Conceição Barroqueiro & Teresa Gregório, António José & Fernanda, Valente, Lionel Louro, Paula Reis, Fernanda Custódio, Helmer & Szuzana, Nuno Gonçalves, Ben & Gali, Urban Sketchers : Carlos, Matos, Vitor Migacho & Alexandra Belo, Leopoldo Rodrigues, Evandro Breia & Margarida, Moutinho, Carlos Domingues, Luís Agostinho, Diamantino Gonçalves, Fernanda Breia, Romeu Louro, Maria Alice Tomás, Manuel Duarte, Maria Dias Caetano, José Duque, Maria de Fátima Serra, José Serra