Portugal: Deanna Hebbring (A New Experience)

Almost immediately after arriving in Portugal, I noticed that the building walls everywhere were covered in these beautiful tiles. After observing these tiles throughout our experiences in Lisbon, Porto, Lagos, and a few other places, we had the opportunity to visit Museu Nacional do Azulejo, or the National Tile Museum. After being able to walk through the facility and see how tile art has adapted and changed throughout time, we had the opportunity to create our own tiles. When getting started on our tiles, many of us gained a new appreciation for how the process of creating a tile was much harder than it appeared to be. After the painting process was done, we brought our creations to the instructor to begin the firing process where the tiles would be heated to get more of a finished appearance.

I was surprised to learn that the reason these titles are everywhere in the country is that the demand for ceramic tiles peaked after a large earthquake occurred in Portugal in 1755. After the earthquake, the country was immediately hit by a tsunami which resulted in serious damage all throughout Portugal. The rebuilding process required large quantities of durable and cost-effective material, which is when tiles became the best material for the job. From that point on, tiles became a new way of showcasing artwork of complex patterns and designs throughout Portugal. I absolutely loved having the experience to recognize the different styles of tile art, create my own based on Portuguese influences, and learn more about the history of how tiles became such a staple in the country’s building design.

 

Deanna Hebbring

Hometown: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Major: Kinesiology

Program: UW Movement as Medicine in Portugal

I chose my program for the multifaceted view of holistic physical activity and exercise interventions in order to combat health disparity. I hope to learn more on how social determinants of health can contribute to adverse health outcomes, how that limits levels of physical activity, and how those factors compare and contrast in the US versus Europe.

I am most excited to see the cultural differences of Lisbon and how it compares and differs from my home in the US. As someone who has only been abroad to visit family, I am so excited to be surrounded by a culture completely different from my own!