Fiesa 2008: Hollywood Hits TownThis year's exhibition of sand sculpture, predictably entitled Fiesa 2008, is all about the lure of the silver screen.
I don't often drop my 'aitches', but it happened here! The history of Hollywood is a strange one; from its beginnings as a virtual 'garage' industry in then-undeveloped California, to its present position of huge influence in worldwide tastes and attitudes... ... and how better to explore and celebrate that than by sculpting a collection of exhibits using more than 35,000 tonnes of sand! I must admit to thinking that last year's event - Fiesa 2007 - was not quite as good as the years that preceded it (I missed the 2003 inaugural year, but have attended at least once during every year since). In spite of which, I was looking forward to the 2008 crop with pleasurable anticipation, because I thought the theme should lend itself to a more coherent content. And it worked - up to a point... Some of the sculptures had deteriorated already, whether from too much sun or too much rain (in April and May) I couldn't say. But I was surprised that more of an effort had not been made to effect suitable repairs. (I know, I know: it's too hot in Algarve!)
And then, there were some exhibits whose relationship to Hollywood was much too tenuous. Yes, some of the comic book superheroes have made it to the big screen - but why include those who haven't, like the Silver Surfer? It must have been tricky deciding what to leave out, given Hollywood's long and distinguished history, without needing to include stuff that hasn't featured in a movie. FIESA 2008 - the Cast ListSo, what else made it into the show this year?
Which leads me to what were my - Favourites at Fiesa 2008My favourites this year were Homer Simpson and his family; The Muppets; Steve McQueen on his 'Great Escape' motorcycle and, of course, Dorothy and her friends from the Wizard of Oz.
Not forgetting this year's... Fiesa 2008 - 'Must Try Harder' SectionUsually, I'm amazed that the artists can render remarkable likenesses of celebrities in so difficult a medium as sand... And indeed, some of them are amazing this year... but some less so, unfortunately. What made my "Yuk List" were: James Bond in his original Aston Martin, who looked more like Mr Bean Woody Allen, who could have been anyone Marilyn Monroe, more like Jayne Mansfield Superman, who bore an uncanny resemblance to the unfortunate British Premier, Gordon Brown (see photograph further down the page) Indiana Jones and his sidekick needed the explanatory text to identify them (Raiders of the Lost Likeness?) and Batman looked more like Fatman! (And, I should add, Nev in his straw hat looked disappointingly nothing like Johnny Depp!)
Having written all of which, I must stress that I have the luxury of comparing this lot to previous years of FIESA, some of which have been astounding. Would I recommend that you give it a view? You betcha! It's still a marvel that they can turn out the very best exhibits here - in sand! Money-saving tip: if you can grab a copy of the freebie English newpaper The Portugal News, or go into a Turismo office, you can get a coupon for a 10% discount on a Fiesa 2008 ticket (up to 5 adults per coupon). The exhibition is open from 10.00 to midnight, and runs from May 22 to October 22, 2008. I was too busy to attend when it first opened and, anyway, I like to be sure that it's going to be a blistering day, so I know the photographs will be worthwhile. (I have been at Fiesa on an overcast day before now, and while the exhibits are just as enjoyable, the resulting pics mean that I need to go back, and soon, to obtain photos worthy of display on Algarve Beach Life).
Younger visitors can again join in with free lessons in the rudiments of sand sculpting (only at certain times) and there are other amusements as well as plenty of shaded areas in which to cool off. If you like sanitary conditions, you might prefer to make
sure that you've used a 21st century toilet facility before
you enter Fiesa 2008 compound. Their 'portaloo' offerings
are not the best, and by the middle of a busy day, you'd
encounter fewer health risks at a fly-infested butcher stall
in the middle of a Marrakech market! Why's the British Prime Minister
dressed On the bright side, they do have a good number of palm-tented seating area with tables, and the cafe/bar is pleasant enough. Just don't drink so much that you need the WC... Near the entrance/exit area (which this year sports a shiny, chromium-plated turnstile!) is a selection of tented stalls selling crafts, simple jewellery, clothing and some hippy-dippy stuff like joss sticks. There was even a Quick Massage area, if you were finding the sand sculptures overly stressful!
So, that's it for now with Fiesa 2008. I'll be putting up some new pics after these have been up for a while, so if you don't make it to see for yourself, come back and check out some more of what you missed.
FIESA 2008 FactsJust in case you've forgotten (or never knew in the first place) the 'FIESA' bit stands for "Festival Internacional de Escultura em Areia", which translates as International Festival of Sand Sculptures. The company involved in producing the exhibition is called ProSandArt. It was founded by Alper Alagoz, a self-trained sand sculptor who travelled through Europe, refining his art. His claim to fame is that he devised the method of producing large, vertical sculptures, rather than the sort commonly seen on beaches throughout the Mediterranean, which are relief sculptures on flat, horizontal sand. Sr. Alagoz also experimented with ways to preserve the sculptures against the elements (quite sensibly, since you'd hardly want to spend a couple of weeks sculpting a huge vertical exhibit, only to have it crumble at the first sight of rain). It seems that this year's 'iffy' weather has already
taken its toll, since some of the sand sculpting emergency
team had to be recalled from their well-earned rest, to make
repairs to superficial rain-damage on some of the exhibits
before the gig opened on 22 May! But there are still
problems, as I noted above... A panoramic view of (some of) Fiesa 2008
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You
may detect, in the background of some of the photos, the presence of the
bungee trampolining equipment that made a reappearance this
year. 
