Nossa Terra Exhibition Flashback Showcasing Portugal’s “Cultural Habits” at Lisbon Design Week

French designer Sam Baron has curated the Nossa Terra exhibition, which presents designs and artifacts made of terracotta to show the customs of various regions in Portugal. Translated Nossa Terra means Our Earth; it features contemporary vases, jugs, plates, and historical statues dating back to the 1800s.

Nossa Terra Exhibition at Lisbon Design Week (cr: Carla Heyworth)

Nossa Terra Exhibition at Lisbon Design Week (cr: Carla Heyworth)

The terracotta designs are displayed on two 14-meter-long wooden tables in the Arquivo Aires Mateus exhibition space, previously the studio of local architect Manuel Aires Mateus. Baron has lived in Portugal since 2001 and curated the Nossa Terra exhibition to showcase the diversity of terracotta and how it has been used in various regions of Portugal. The exhibition consists of various works to show how Portuguese design has evolved and grown. All are made from terracotta but processed in very different ways.

Nossa Terra Exhibition at Lisbon Design Week (cr: Carla Heyworth)

Nossa Terra Exhibition at Lisbon Design Week (cr: Carla Heyworth)

The making of terracotta also reflects the cultural customs of various regions in Portugal. Those on the northern side use more black terracotta, while in the village of Nisa, which is near the river, they make white stone bottles. In rural areas, terracotta water bottles are made for farmers to drink while working in the fields, while in urban areas, more materials are used from ceramics and tiles.

Nossa Terra Exhibition at Lisbon Design Week (cr: Carla Heyworth)

Nossa Terra Exhibition at Lisbon Design Week (cr: Carla Heyworth)

Some of the works on display at the Nossa Terra exhibition include a black terracotta vase by Porto-based designer Gabriel Tan, a water jug ​​by Lisbon-based designer Marco Sousa Santos, a white-figured jar by ceramicist Vítor Serrano, and a water sculpture from the 1800s provided by Portuguese tile maker Viúva Lamego. Also on display is a 3D-printed vase created by local student Sara Batista da Silva, made from terracotta mixed with coffee grounds and ceramics by local designer Rue Pereia for Danish furniture brand Hay.

Nossa Terra Exhibition at Lisbon Design Week (cr: Carla Heyworth)

Nossa Terra Exhibition at Lisbon Design Week (cr: Carla Heyworth)

Everything is presented and seen at the Nossa Terra exhibition, starting from contemporary works by young designers and famous brands, archival works, and architectural works such as tiles and bricks. The initial idea aimed to show the diversity of this material and how it can be easily shaped by various people, including illustrators, designers, architects, and artists. Everyone can take some soil and start making something with it. Nossa Terra was successfully held on May 22-26 at Arquivo Aires Mateus, Rua Silva Carvalho 175, 1250-249 Lisbon, Portugal, as part of this year's Lisbon Design Week festival, which is entering its second edition.