Sintra
VINYL
Photographs by Luís Vasconcelos
15 October 2026 to 3 January 2027
MU.SA – Sintra Museum of Arts
Some photographs transcend mere documentation and become part of our collective memory. The work of Luís Vasconcelos belongs to that rare category.
VINYL brings together seventy photographs selected from the eponymous book published in December 2024, presenting a visual journey through music and artistic creation from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s. The result of several years spent working alongside Portuguese and international musicians and artists, the exhibition offers a unique testimony to a period of profound cultural transformation and the affirmation of creative freedom.
Predominantly black and white, though punctuated by striking moments of colour, the exhibition features portraits, reportage photography and behind-the-scenes images originally captured for the press, alongside photographs taken during private sessions that have since become iconic. Many of these images are now being presented in alternative versions that have rarely been seen or are virtually unpublished.
Remaining true to the ethics of photojournalism, Luís Vasconcelos prioritises capturing unrepeatable moments while preserving the integrity of the original framing. At the same time, he explores highly expressive visual techniques, such as multiple exposure and motion effects achieved through slow shutter speeds, revealing both an innovative approach and remarkable technical mastery.
More than an exhibition about music, VINYL is a journey through the collective memory of several generations, evoking artists, concerts, stories and emotions that continue to shape the contemporary cultural imagination. The title echoes the spirit of Forever Young by Bob Dylan, chosen by the author as the epigraph of the book and as a symbol of a creative youth that endures through time.
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Closed on Mondays