S.Joao Structure: Reinterpreting a Portuguese Street Festival

An Artistic Installation by FAHR 021.3

The S.Joao Structure reflects the lively spirit of the S. João festival, one of Europe's most vibrant street celebrations. In Porto, the festival pays tribute to Saint John the Baptist, with locals playfully hitting each other with garlic flowers or soft plastic hammers. The streets are adorned with colorful ribbons and flags, and fireworks light up the night sky. FAHR 021.3's installation captures this festive atmosphere, creating a visually stunning experience.

The design process involved a 3D modeling approach to develop the surface and different heights of the structure. The installation was assembled with the help of the local community, fostering a sense of participation and inclusion. Strings of clothes were arranged in an orthogonal grid to hang the balloon-like forms, while raffia cord was used to suspend each unit. A total of 500 clothespins were used to fix each balloon, which were composed of two polygons made of cardboard coated with a reflective PVC film.

The S.Joao Structure spans a ceiling surface of 10m x 18m, with a maximum height of 3m and a minimum height of 1.1m. It features 500 reflective balloons, each fixed with clothespins and suspended by raffia cord. The installation required 240m of rope to create the hanging grid. The project was completed within a week, involving the entire local community in the construction process.

The S.Joao Structure was designed for a square in Guimaraes, near the city of Porto, where the St. John festival is celebrated on June 23. The installation remained in place for the duration of the festival, which lasted two days, and was removed after a week. The project started on June 17th and was completed on June 30th.

FAHR 021.3 conducted extensive research and engaged with the local community to ensure an authentic representation of the S. João festival. The design aimed to reflect the tradition while also addressing the socio-economic challenges of the country. The choice of materials, such as the reflective PVC film, created a visual contrast against the backdrop of a society experiencing economic difficulties.

The S.Joao Structure received recognition for its innovative design. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Fine Arts and Art Installation Design category in 2014. This prestigious award celebrates designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving the quality of life through art, science, design, and technology.