Conference Cycle Great Artists on Campus #1: Alexandro Farto Aka Vhils
Alexandre Farto, known as Vhils, is an artist who has become renowned for revolutionizing public art
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Vhils operates as a contemporary urban archaeologist, excavating the layers of material culture to expose the invisible identity and memory embedded within global urban landscapes.
His bas-relief carving technique (Scratching the Surface Project), first presented in 2007, forms the foundation of his visual poetics: instead of adding, Vhils removes, cuts, drills, and erodes materials (from walls to metal and wood), creating powerful visual statements from what the city discards. His work is an ongoing reflection on identity, cultural erosion, and the clash between individual aspirations and the demands of urban life, questioning the uniformity imposed by globalization.
At ULusófona and within the Department of Film and Media Arts, Vhils’ work stands out for its innovative use of multiple platforms. His unique visual language materializes in installations, sculptural objects, and, crucially, in video and digital art, expanding the concept of the image beyond the canvas.
Programme
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Artist talk followed by Q&A
