Crossing through many artistic and scientific fields, “Waterworld” is a project revolving around rising sea levels caused by climate change. Looking towards science fiction to answer the question “How would it be like to live in an underwater world?”, the project will be based on knowledge originating from riverfront populations, specifically around the Ria Formosa.

The multidisciplinary fiction revolves on projecting fictional worlds, looking at what conflicts and resolutions these hypothetical people will reveal about the environment, collectively constructing precarious narratives which will be expressed through multimedia installations. The project shall be based on the text “Big Splash” by Joana Bértholo, written specifically for it, and which will be adapted to music with António Lourenço Menezes’ help for the Loulé Children’s Choir.

The result of this process will be presented in November 2023, at the Convento de Santo António in Loulé.

On the 10th and 13th of May there’ll be two public forums at the University of the Algarve in Faro, and in Alfaia in Loulé, respectively.

“Waterworld” involves creating objects, fictional texts, audiovisual pieces and mini-events with the community accompanying the whole creative process, which will be condensed into an exhibition and online platform.

Three more of these summits will be held throughout 2023 in Montemor-o-Novo, Culatra and Ílhavo, which will all be collated into an exhibition in Loulé.

The project is supported by DGArtes and the Loulé council, with partners in the Algarve’s Centro de Ciência Viva, Devir Capa, Oficinas do Convento and 23 Milhas.

Author

Star in the 2015 music video for the hit single “Headlights” by German musician, DJ and record producer Robin Schulz featuring American singer-songwriter Ilsey. Also a journalist.

Jay Bodsworth