Artist in the City 2018 is a project which aims not just to present existing works, but first and foremost to stimulate collaborations between artists, Lisbon-based organisations and the guest artist. This year the guest artist is Christiane Jatahy, the Brazilian author and theatre/film director. Recognised as one of contemporary theatre’s most significant artists, she’ll be bringing the theme of refugees and migrants to this year’s Lisboa na Rua.

A project about encounters. A space to talk about memories, about Utopias and about the future. The encounter takes place between people who have moved around in the world; migrants, refugees who set off in search of a new home. A local actor will also participate alongside the immigrants, in addition to the memories of those who come from elsewhere and those from Lisbon.

Inside a container, a live documentary is filmed, edited and shown simultaneously to the audience. A documentary about the meeting of new arrivals with those who are already here; about memories, ideas and utopias. A live dialogue about the present day, stimulated by questions posed by Christiane Jatahy.

The audience sits on either side of the container and watches the film. At a certain point, the barriers between those watching and those talking disappear. The encounter is complete: between the audience and the guests, the performance and the film.

The audience is asked to bring objects to contribute to the home being built; small objects seen as important in a home. It is these items that will provide the film with colour and detail. At the end, items lent will be returned to their owners.

Concept and director: Christiane Jatahy; Set and Lighting: Thomas Walgrave; Technical assistance in developing the set: Marcelo Lipiani; Video: Julio Parente; Camera: Paulo Camacho; Production manager: Henrique Mariano