This work is an environmental art intervention, the winning project of the ECHOO MADEIRA NATURE FEST 2026 Open Call.
PROJECT LINK
The "Large Nest" (O Grande Ninho) is aligned toward the North.
The entrance is to the South—a natural choice, given that I hail from the Global South.
Following the sun’s path from East to West, I placed two paintings featuring the Iberian proverb: "Like nest, like bird" (*De tal ninho, tal passarinho*).
To be an adult is to take ownership of one’s own life—which includes the freedom to build one’s nest however one chooses, thereby creating a new tradition, unburdened by established norms or the opinions of others.
The structure is crafted from *cana-vieira* (giant reed) and *feiteira* (bracken/fern-like vegetation)—both classified as invasive species, yet deeply intertwined with local culture. *Cana-vieira* was traditionally used for the internal framework of walls and as ceiling lining in stone houses, while *feiteira* served as mattress stuffing. In essence, they are integral components of these dwellings—these "human nests."
I used over 360 reeds—one for each day of the year. There are 30 triptych-style anchor points, representing the days of the month, and to the North, I placed 7 flowers—one for each day of the week—crafted by me from canvas; these are the types of flowers commonly seen at local festivals and religious celebrations.
The walls of the structure are filled with *feiteira*, alternating between dried and green fronds, creating the appearance of pine trees—as if the surrounding landscape had encroached upon the interior of the nest.
The Large Nest measures 5 meters in diameter and 2.5 meters in height, offering 360 centimeters of interior space for moving about or lying down. Inside, there is a circular mat—2.50 meters across—composed of reeds arranged like the rays of the sun, lined with jute.
At the center lie the "eggs"—large, cushion-like forms arranged in an 'X' pattern—produced by *Projecto Vital* in Funchal. Using fabrics from my own archive, I chose to represent Brazil through the colors used in the south, while for the north, I drew upon the colors of Portugal—incorporating the red, striped fabric traditional to Madeira, which I absolutely love. It is as if the colors of Brazil were cast over that red.
LARGE NEST | 2026
CANE, FERN, WOOD, CANVAS, SISAL AND STEEL THREADS, JUTE AND COTTON FABRIC | 5 M IN DIAMETER, 2.5 M IN HEIGHT
