The sculpture's netting material, PTFE-coated architectural fiber, is the same material used for high-performance stadium roofs.
The nets are hand-knotted, mirroring the traditional knotting techniques used by the local Portuguese fishermen for centuries.
At night, the sculpture is lit by an integrated system of LEDs that mimic the rhythm of the wind.
The structure is designed to be kinetic; it is permanently in motion, meaning its visual profile is never identical from one moment to the next.
Janet Echelman initially conceived the project after observing the piles of discarded fishing nets on the Matosinhos beach during a visit to the city.
Anemone, officially titled 'She Changes,' is a large-scale sculpture created by American artist Janet Echelman, located at the Praça da Cidade do Salvador in Matosinhos. The installation consists of three 50-meter-tall steel poles supporting a massive, billowing net structure inspired by traditional local fishing nets. The artwork changes its shape and appearance depending on wind speed and direction, creating a dynamic interaction between industrial engineering and the natural environment. The nets are constructed from high-tenacity, PTFE-coated fiber designed to withstand Atlantic coastal weather. Beneath the sculpture, the artist embedded a circular light installation that illuminates the netting after dusk. The piece serves as a monument to the history and identity of the Matosinhos fishing community. It is positioned near the roundabout that marks the transition between the urban Matosinhos waterfront and the Atlantic Ocean. The structural design incorporates sophisticated tension systems to manage the shifting aerial load of the soft sculpture.
From the pedestrian walkway on the ocean-facing side of the roundabout to capture the sculpture with the Atlantic coastline in the background.
Walk around the entire perimeter of the roundabout to observe how the shape of the nets shifts against the sky.
Visit during dusk to see the transition from natural daylight illumination to the integrated LED lighting system.
Do not attempt to cross the busy traffic circle to reach the sculpture's base; observe from the surrounding pedestrian sidewalks.
