This project consists of a sequence of ten illustrations created for Quintas de Leitura – O Poeta é um Lampejo na Escuridão das Noites, a night dedicated to poetry, performance, and artistic fusion.

Inspired by the words of poets such as Alberto Pimenta, Alexandre O’Neill, Ana Luísa Amaral, Ana Paula Inácio, Bénédicte Houart, Daniel Maia-Pinto Rodrigues, Eugénio de Andrade, Fernando Assis Pacheco, José Gomes Ferreira, Mário Cesariny, Mário-Henrique Leiria, Miguel Martins, Natália Correia, Paulo José Miranda, and Raquel Nobre Guerra, the illustrations form a visual sequence that does not merely interpret the poems but weaves a new, parallel narrative—one that captures the essence, rhythm, and contrasts of the evening’s poetic selection.

Throughout the night, the audience was guided through a rich poetic journey by Cristiana Sabino, Idalinda Fitas, Manuela Gomes, António Domingos, and Jorge Pereira, with Sandra Salomé orchestrating the event through a carefully curated poetic menu. Music by Filho da Mãe, Bia Maria, and Valter Lobo, illusionism by Daniel Guedes, and pole dancing by Melina Mayumi added layers of movement, sound, and mystery to the performance.

It’s always a pleasure to collaborate with Teatro Municipal do Porto—a space where poetry, music, and visual arts intertwine. A huge thank you to João Gesta for the invitation to bring my illustrations into this unforgettable night.

O poeta é um lampejo na escuridão das noites
2023
Performance


Quintas da Leitura

Curator
João Gesta



© Mariana Rio 2010-2025