An ongoing project.
Since moving to Portugal, I began noticing single chairs scattered everywhere. Some were separated from restaurant tables and left aside; others were abandoned by fishermen, parking attendants, construction workers, or beachgoers. Many chairs appeared in unexpected places, like the middle of the street or beneath a tree in a forest. I became so fixated on this phenomenon that it felt like the chairs, in turn, became fixated on me: no matter where I went, there would be another chair waiting for me.
I started wondering if I could find a pattern in their stories. Since I started noticing this in Portugal, I speculated that these lonely chairs might be connected to the country’s culture. My interpretation was that, as socially vibrant as the Portuguese are, perhaps they occasionally need a single chair to escape the bustle, to sit with their thoughts.
As this began in 2020, I linked this idea to the pandemic lockdowns, when, deprived of parties and gatherings, people had to learn how to be alone. Metaphorically speaking, we all fear sitting on a lonely chair, and COVID forced many of us to do just that.
Nowadays, with the world challenged by wars, climate change, and political polarization, we all need moments to sit quietly. Only then can we confront the most important person we know – ourselves. By finding compassion within, we are better equipped to extend it to the world around us.
So, please, take a seat.
