The new piece by Bordalo II does not only have the signature of the Portuguese plastic artist.
The "Musaranho" that will be installed in the city of Vila Nova de Famalicão was made with more than 1000 old and damaged toys, donated by pre-school and primary school children of the municipality.
The artistic creation, which will be inaugurated next Monday, June 5th, World Environment Day, at 3 p.m., with the presence of the artist, will be installed at the South top of D. Maria II Square.
The work will be approximately 4 meters high, is part of the "Big Trash Animals" series and the choice of the animal was not random.
The shrew is one of the smallest mammals in the world, it is fast and, like children, it is playful and has inexhaustible energy.
"As this project had a strong participation from children, it made perfect sense to choose a tiny, energetic and fun animal, just like them. Because of its round appearance and peculiar face, we believe that the children will really enjoy this small figure now transformed into a huge sculpture - just like them, who are also growing and one day will become big", explains the artist.
It should be noted that the collection of toys involved 1188 children from 18 pre-school and primary schools in Vila Nova de Famalicão.
The action took place under the "Bordalinhos" project developed with the Eco-Schools of the municipality with the aim of raising awareness of the exaggerated consumption of toys and the option for more sustainable toys. Each child donated two toys: one damaged or old for the work of Bordalo II and another, in good condition, to be donated to the municipality's Social Shops.
Artur Bordalo, grandson of the artist Real Bordalo, was born in 1987 in Lisbon. As a tribute to his artistic family roots, he chose the name Bordalo II. He is known for using the rubbish from the streets for his artistic productions, namely plastic, metal and electronic materials. The choice of these materials is Artur Bordalo's way of alerting people to waste, materialism, consumerism and the urgent need for sustainability.