Mães D'Água

'Mães D’Água' (2023) was a performance-led community project commissioned by Zambujal 360 and Fundação Manuel António da Mota. Developed over four months, this initiative brought artist Luísa Mota, choreographer Ana Rocha and the Anti-House collective into close dialogue with residents of Bairro do Zambujal, Amadora (Portugal). Through workshops, presentations, and collaborative events involving local mediators and associations, the project explored themes of social invisibility, gender bias, and symbolic belonging. To document and assess its outcomes, an external impact report was carried out by Stone Soup Consulting.

Football Match at Zambujal Neighbourhood building 23, Amadora (Portugal).

Stages

Spontaneous Performances	Local performances with different groups of people, from the beginning to the end on the project.
Community Event	A gathering of local residents and associations to celebrate the project, with Crystal Beings and live music performances. Over 150 people were present.
Workshops	Participatory workshops with local partners and residents.
Football Match	A Crystal Being football match in the local football field, with the participation of a few children and adolescents of the neighborhood.
Mural	'Crystal Beings' mural as part of the ODS 9 and Zamnujal 360 project.
Final Event	Community celebration of the end of the project at Galegas Square where the mural is located, with live music and Crystal Being performance.

One of its final outcomes was the mural 'Crystal Beings', inspired by local narratives and co-created reflections. The Crystal Beings — recurring archetypal figures in Mota’s practice — were reimagined as fluid guardians of the neighborhood: reflective presences that transcend age, gender, and race, offering a poetic framework for collective visibility and awakening creativity as a pathway for transformation.

'Crystal Beings' mural by Wiola Stankiewicz and Suzanna Hope for Anti-House.

Social Impact

"The ‘Mães d'Água’ project proved to be a transformative initiative for the Zambujal neighbourhood, promoting gender equality, empowering women and young people, and encouraging a new dynamic of social cohesion and cultural participation.

(...) This journey of valuing diversity and local talent has had a positive impact on Zambujal, and with the necessary support, it will continue to inspire, strengthen and unite the community. The impacts observed show that art can be a significant catalyst for social change in communities with great cultural and ethnic diversity.

In short, ‘Mães d'Água’ has shown that art can be a powerful tool for fostering unity and a sense of belonging. With a well-structured sustainability plan and ongoing support, this project has the potential to become a lasting example of how art can drive social change in communities with similar characteristics."
- Impact Report by Stone Soup

Crystal Beings at Bairro do Zambujal, Amadora (2023)

Mães D'Água

Stages

Social Impact

Local Partners