Latent Power: Gaia Ceramics as Expectant Cultural Capital

Based on the internationalised concept of Soft Power (Nye, 1900) or “soft power”, widely disseminated as the persuasive power of far-reaching cultural goods, this article launches the premise of Latent power as a cultural capital intrinsic to a given place, but not yet manifest. Our object of study will be the urban context of Vila Nova de Gaia, corresponding to the south bank of the recognised circle of “Portuense ceramics”—terminology that designates the unique ceramic production process that took place between the two banks of the River Douro. This artistic and industrial production marked the Portuguese domestic and export market through different cycles, especially between the mid-eighteenth and early twentieth centuries. Architectural reminiscences of old factories in a state of physical degradation or ruin, which are still part of the landscape, will be analysed (Unesco Paris, 2011). In keeping with the linguistic meaning of the word “latent”, we emphasise this adjective as something “potential”, “which is not active, but may become so” (Einaudi, n.d.). Within this framework, we will try to establish bridges between a dormant or hidden layer of the city, with potential points and interconnections that could make it partially visible, or recognisable. Are we entering the wider process of patrimonialisation? The aim is not to frame this ceramic and tile production in the critical sense of “Noah’s complex”, which wants to encompass and reframe everything for the enjoyment of contemporary life (Ferreira de Almeida, 1998), but rather to see to what extent the lack of valorisation of authentic artistic gems, and the necessary historicist/patrimonial transmission of local production could put this cultural capital at risk.