Drop 01 · Lisbon

R. da Graça

Tram tracks curving down cobblestones, facades drenched in orange light — Rua da Graça, Lisbon

Find yourself balancing as you walk through the street. Quick glance. Try to negotiate who should step onto the narrow street. The other one gets the narrowest sidewalk. Hardly relaxing. You just want to keep the pace and get out of there as soon as possible. Still, it zigs and zags, and so you should sway with it.

Zona P parking sign bathed in golden light, Bolt scooters, Rua da Graça
Green azulejo building from below, sunset fire on the top floors — Graça, Lisbon

Unless you find yourself there at six in the morning. The sun is coming up, but you can only see it being sliced up by buildings and selectively choosing the ones that shine. A little further up, the bakery where you should be having breakfast. Stainless steel counters, a glass case, a TV no one watches.

Orange light through building window openings, architectural detail — Graça, Lisbon
Pastelaria SAGA on a street corner, warm light — Rua da Graça, Lisbon

I climbed up from Sta. Apolónia that morning. Out of breath, cool air, I finally had the strength to look up. I hadn't slept well. My mind had been racing for the umpteenth time that month, and I'd left the house before it could start again.

Pastelaria SAGA facade with golden light stripe — Rua da Graça, Lisbon
Tinturaria dry cleaner corner building at deep sunset — Rua da Graça, Lisbon
GraçaAlfama
Empty street with tram tracks gleaming, web of overhead wires — Graça, Lisbon

Ten years ago, I'd find myself on this same street at this same hour, trying to outrun a hangover after one too many beers at Estrela Decadente. It took some research to learn that the bar had had countless previous lives: a working-class social club, an illegal casino, an endless rotation of bars. And now — well, now there's little worth mentioning. Something shiny and bright that opened up two weeks ago.

Tram 578, mandriola ad, Carris branding, golden light and silhouettes — Rua da Graça, Lisbon
Curved balcony building from below, tram wires against teal sky — Graça, Lisbon
Rooftops against dark teal sky, last light on walls — Graça, Lisbon

I found myself walking to process. I never understood why people said they enjoyed walking. To be frank, I didn't enjoy it. It just increased the space available between my temples. Sometimes I saw something unusual. I took a shot.

Corner building with lit window against pink sunset sky — Graça, Lisbon
Looking straight up at tram wire pole, almost industrial — Graça, Lisbon

Seeing Rua da Graça so nice and quiet was unusual. The sidewalk all to myself, no sign of chaos, maybe a couple of pigeons. The tram passes through, doesn't get blocked by a double-parked car. The tram line is one of the few that survived — nothing else fits a street this narrow. Maybe that's some inspiration I could take with me. Maybe things really could be lighter.

Edition details

A3 Fine Art Print

Format
297 × 420 mm
Paper
280gsm satin pearl photo paper
Edition
25 per photograph · numbered & signed

A6 Postcard

Format
105 × 148 mm
Paper
320gsm satin pearl photo card

All photos from this drop