The completed project will be officially showcased in September 2021 – The five artistic concepts in miniature of the Rooster of Barcelos. Credits: LA
The City Council of Barcelos offered the city of Toronto a large statue representing the legendary Rooster, which is the symbol of this Portuguese city. This statue will receive the intervention of an artist and will then be exhibited in the Little Portugal neighbourhood as a piece of urban art.
Following a public call for design applications, five artists have been selected to participate in this project: Christiano de Araújo and Clandestinos Crew, two artists of Brazilian origin, and Julia Prajza, Quentin Commanda and Viktor Mitic.
Each one of them presents, in a scale model, a version of the project that they conceived for the final design of the “Galo de Barcelos”. These models (miniature roosters) can now be seen at the IC Savings Branch in Toronto, at 1168 Dundas Street West, in the heart of the Little Portugal neighborhood.
Ana Bailão, Deputy Mayor and Toronto City Councillor for Ward 9 (Davenport), said in a press release that “this project showcases the deep connection of this neighbourhood and the Portuguese Canadian Community”. “Through their creative efforts, the successful artists will create a sense of belonging for Portuguese-Torontonians while celebrating the heritage and history of Little Portugal in Toronto”.
Anabela Taborda, Chair of Little Portugal on Dundas BIA, also expressed her enthusiasm for the artistic project that will contribute to the revitalization of the local urban landscape. “This installation will serve as a physical touchpoint among visitors and residents alike. It will remind us of our Portuguese heritage and history while embracing local art and vision”, reads the release.
The promoters of the initiative, Little Portugal on Dundas BIA, City of Toronto, the Consulate General of Portugal, and the StreetARToronto (StART) project, with the participation of the Associação Migrante de Barcelos, launched an invitation to artists from the region to present an artistic decoration for the rooster.
In phase two of this project, one artist will be selected to create their winning design on the full-size rooster. The winning project will be announced on Portugal day, June 10, with the completion and official presentation of the project scheduled for September 2021.
The “Galo de Barcelos”, a concrete statue measuring 2.8 meters by 1.9 meters and weighing 100 kilograms, will be installed next to the number 1212 of Dundas Street West, on Lakeview Avenue Parkette. ■
