Once upon the time in Jozi there was a Portuguese heart with a South African heartbeat.
This was the message the Portuguese Consulate wanted to convey when they brought Portuguese artist Joana Vansconelos’sculpture, Red Independent Heart, to Sandton’s Melrose Arch as the focal point of the Portugal at Heart festival, which was held from June 11 to June 12, 2010.
The festival was aimed at celebrating aspects of Portuguese culture and examining the history of Portuguese heritage in South Africa.
The first wave of Portuguese immigration came in the early 60’s and 70’s, with many Portuguese people from Madeira migrating in search of economic upliftment. Many members of the Portuguese also came from Angola and Mozambique after those countries gained independence.
As later generations become more and more South Africanised, they continue to hold firmly to their Portuguese heritage, which provides a sense of richness and cosmopolitanism to South African society.
“We wanted to bring to South Africa during the World Cup a very Portuguese heart that will beat with South African hearts, because soccer has a lot to do with emotions and feelings,” said Portuguese Consul General Carlos Pereira Marques.
The piece is sculpted in a traditional Portuguese style called Filigrana, a technique in which a material is twisted and bent on itself.
It is one of three heart sculptures, each with their own meaning. The black heart, which is on exhibit in a museum in Spain, symbolises death. The yellow heart, which belongs to a private collector, represents richness and luxury. Finally, the red heart, which belongs to a modern art collection in Lisbon, represents love.
Vasconcelos’ sculpture was on display in a glass box near the Melrose Arch piazza until July 11. The work was accompanied by a stereo playing three traditional Portuguese songs in the Fado music style. The songs, sung by a well-known Fado singer, Amália, are called “The Curse”, “The Seagull”, and “What a Strange Way of Life”, a line from which gave name to the piece as the song is about an independent heart that cannot be controlled.
Pareira says the Portuguese relationship with Fado music is very strong.
“It is extremely Portguguese. She speaks about her own heart, with her own heart,” Pareira says of Amália .
The Fado, the art and the emotions felt by South Africans during this World Cup all linked together like the Filligrana of the Red Independent Heart.
