Taking into account historical anchor episodes such as Estúdio SECLA (1950–1960), Caldas 77: IV International Art Meetings in Portugal, the Caldas International Sculpture Biennial (1985–1997), the creation of ESTGAD / ESAD.CR (1990), Galeria dos 30 Dias (2000), Jardim da Água (90s to 2000s), Late Night Caldas (1997–2024), or Slow Motion (2000–2003), the exhibition is based on a selection of works from the CGD Collection by artists who have, or had, connection with Caldas da Rainha and which allows us to tell a story of art and artistic events in Portugal from this city’s perspective. Other artists or collectives fundamental to the reading of this story, whose journey began at ESAD.CR and whose work is omitted from the CGD collection, will produce works specifically for the exhibition, or will participate in a program of public talks.

This journey, which is also a pedagogical exercise, serves as a reflection on the identity and memory of the individual and collective artistic work produced or presented in Caldas da Rainha, travelling through 74 years (from 1950 to 2024) of a city that we affirm as an unavoidable centre for contemporary artistic production.