In May and June, 2026 I developed a project based on cultural memory at the AiR 351 art residency in Cascais, Portugal. This project started with open-ended exploratory work at local museums, life drawing, as well as the creation of a new participatory research activity that prompted fellow residents to share recollections of significant environments (natural and/or built).
A key idea that emerged from this research has to do with the connection between memory, sensorial experience and place. Based on this finding, I generated a body of visual work through lino printing—a medium that requires sensitivity to the relationship between surface and recessed area. As part of this research, and subsequent creative development, surface is considered a vital context that holds and evokes memory.
Philosopher Michael Marder's description of the ancient Greek notion of epinoia (Air 351, May 26, 2026) further supports this complex understanding of surface. In Western metaphysics, the world of appearances (the surface of things) is considered superficial, while foundational truths are considered to reside beneath the surface. Findings from this research, along with Marder's philosophical analysis, challenge this metaphysical assumption—as part of my explorations in Cascais, in other words, memory, is situated on the uppermost layer of things. The final outcomes of my residency work consist of multiple lino prints along with a limited edition zine (impressão—with imagery and text carved from linoleum)—text in Portuguese.