MEMORY OF WATER

<<In broad daylight, even the sounds shine>>

Wim Wenders scouting in Portugal

Water Museum – Mãe d’Água das Amoreiras Reservoir

LISBON, PORTUGAL

07/11/2015-02/04/2016

“But water doesn't care for human sorrows.

It flows without slowing or quickening its pace in the darkness of the earth, where only stones will hear.” 
-Emmi Itäranta, Memory of Water

It was a rare sunny afternoon of Portugal notorious rainy December.

I came to the Water Museum, Mãe d’Água das Amoreiras Reservoir

for an exhibition which composed of 28 photographs from the multi-talented Wim Wenders. Apart from being a photographer, this German artist is also a  filmmaker, author and playwright. And these 28 photographs were shot during his location scouting in Portugal for three of his movies from different timing.

                                          wim wenders, aqueduto aguas livres

Before my visitation, I was very curious where the exhibition takes place as without much knowledge about the appearance and atmospheric setting of the architecture.

Designed in 1746 by Carlos Mardel and completed in 1834, the Mãe d’Água Reservoir of Amoreiras was used to collect and distribute the water carried by the Águas Livres Aqueduct. Nowadays, the purpose has changed and it’s open for visitors and for special occasions and art exhibitions.

Without mentioning the structure of haunting beauty, together with the currently exhibiting desolate images. Visitors will find themselves getting caught in a time maze.

 The space welcomed me with a stony height and depth, while the winter sunlight came through the windows. Sunbeams were caressing every little crack and gap of the rough stony surface, a painting by lights and shadows. The water reflections from the center reservoir were bouncing around the wall like the naughty children. I could hear the gentle trickling water echoing in the long narrow hallway. Air was filled with a chill humidity and the smell of the damp flurry moss.

The images of Wim Wenders were murmuring within the hallway under the dim lights. They were like the windows of the past which were allowing one  to peep through from the present. They were engaging with one another about nostalgic memory, time and loss of Portugal.

The powerful presence within each cinematic photograph was imposing a notion of desertion and emptiness, the architecture or people in the images were fading with time. The presence of people in time has become insignificant and helpless.

                                                     wim wenders, lisboa

 From the captures one can tell Portugal was speaking to Wim Wenders through the medium of water, tracing and exhibiting their souls. While I was walking down the hallway, the sound of water was as well harmonizing with my footsteps, once again telling me their stories and the lost time of this country. Singing a song of a lost love and a shattered dream, without the dramatic announcement of emotions.

wim wenders, praia grande sintra

These were the memories from a faded luxurious glorifying stage. 

Echoing in bright sound waves that only one soul can hear from these memories of shining water.