Tiles: from tradition to street art

The fantastic universe of Add Fuel


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By ArchReady - 17/Mar/2015

Mental Idade (Lisbon) via streetartnews.net

What happens when the traditional and urban art are put together?

The answer translates itself in two words, Add Fuel.

Despite its multiple influences throughout history, it’s in Portugal, with the original contribution of the Portuguese mind, that it becomes one of the strongest artistic expressions on a cultural level, not only in the country, where undoubtedly it became an icon of the cultural identity, but also in a universal context.

We are precisely talking about tiles! The famous ceramic squared figures, overcoming the mere utilitarian function, already have more than reserved a transcendent status in the world of Art where they contribute to a poetic intervention in architecture and city creation. Though remaining in the history of the country for more than five centuries, the art still lives on today thanks to those who dare themselves to renew and transform the traditional perspective.

And that is how, hidden in plain sight and with the help of an irreproachable accuracy, that Diogo Machado has been creating his imaginary world. What at first sight seems to be nothing more than traditional tiles emerged from a medieval universe, it’s in reality one of the most authentic, contemporary and worthy of recognition artistic manifestations developed in public space.

It is in the combination of the fantastic world, ubiquitous humor and a distinctive trait that this illustrator and street artist makes his craft reach us. Not to keep from out of sight!