Lisbon City Council Transforms Iconic Sidewalks into Real Tattoos

From the cobblestone sidewalks to people’s skin, Lisbon has just got its own tattoos. Inspired by the patterns and drawings from the streets, Lisbon City Council together with tattoo artists have created the LX Tattoos. This project aims to value one of the city’s most important symbols, showing how Lisbon leaves a ‘mark’ on people, whether they’re proud locals or fascinated visitors.

Symbols imprinted in major Lisbon squares, Rossio, Restauradores, Imperial Square. After a six-month research and inventory work, the project highlights the main sidewalks designs that now can live on people’s skin, giving a new angle to Lisbon’s history.

Six renowned tattoo artists gave life to LX Tattoos. Dave Santos, Douglas Cardoso, Gonçalo Santos, Igor Gama, Inês Gonçalves and Miguel Brum were challenged to reinterpret iconic sidewalks. The outcome is available in Lisbon tattoo shops to those who want to take Lisbon forever with them. 

The tattoo designs are compiled in a unique portfolio, printed in limestone paper and a hard cover that is also a sidewalk laying mould. The project lands on a website, Instagram profile and have several other activities happening across the year.

LX Tattoos is a Project of Lisbon City Council, with the support of Portuguese Sidewalk Association and tattoo studios, Arca Tattoo Parlour, Boa Hora Studio, Casa Tigre and Queen of Hearts. Creativity from Leo Burnett Lisboa, Media from Zenith and production from Flesh 52.