Sunday, December 14, 2008

The town centre / O centro da vila


This scene could take place in any of the several small towns in my country, especially in the North and Centre. In front of the church there may be a small square with a garden and bandstand, and it's almost sure that the Town Hall will be in its opposite side. With this or any other arrangement, this is a somewhat utopian image anyway, because there isn't a single car in sight, as well as any TV antenna or the inevitable twelve-storey skyscraper, the proud of a local contractor...
Esta cena poderia ter lugar em qualquer uma das muitas pequenas vilas do nosso País, sobretudo no Norte e Centro... Defronte da igreja haverá decerto uma pequena praça com jardim e coreto, e quase de certeza a Câmara Municipal estará do lado oposto. Com esta ou outra disposição, esta é de qualquer forma uma imagem algo utópica, pois não há um único automóvel à vista, nem tão-pouco antenas de televisão ou o inevitável arranha-céus de doze andares, o orgulho de um empreiteiro local...
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4 comments:

RobCarey said...

wonderful- I like the guy with the dog, the guy with the newspaper, the lady going into the church... all of your work tells so many stories and makes me want to be there!

Paulo J. Mendes said...

Thank you, Rob. If you happen to visit Portugal one day, you may be able to find some quiet places like this, as well as other hidden treasures that hopefully will inspire you!

Julio Rodrigues said...

It may be utopian, but that's the great thing about painting...it let's you express a vision, not chained to what the eyes see. Beautiful.
Boa semana.

Paulo J. Mendes said...

That's why I like to paint imaginary landscapes: They show my country how I would like it to be...
Boa semana!! Have a nice week.