Artist Artur Bordalo, known as Bordalo II, once again made headlines by installing a new piece in Lisbon on Thursday morning.
At Praça do Comércio, a prominent tourist destination in the Portuguese capital, the artist placed a sign reading “Lisbon for Sale.”
The installation event and photos of the piece were shared on social media platforms.
“Excellent opportunity. City with ancient charm, enjoying excellent solar exposure year-round, and recently refurbished with luxury details,” starts the description in the post. The piece once more addresses the ongoing housing crisis in Portugal.
“Located in a premium area of the Iberian Peninsula, offering stunning views of the Tagus River and easy access to upscale dining and shopping options. Ideal for those seeking a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and gentrified atmosphere. A dream opportunity in a city where most cannot even dream of living,” concludes the artist.
Is this the first… or will it be the last?
Bordalo II has been outspoken in advocating for the Right to Housing, as enshrined in the Portuguese Constitution.
Other works by the artist include the placement of a giant Monopoly piece not far from Praça do Comércio, specifically at Praça Duque da Terceira in Cais do Sodré.
“Our cities are being turned into giant game boards. The right to housing, mentioned in the Constitution, is now at the mercy of chance. Some players trade houses for hotels, some mortgage properties to banks, others are the banks – but in this game, not everyone starts with the same amount, and few pass through the starting point,” Bordalo II wrote on Instagram, where he shared images of the piece titled ‘Provoc.’
This piece was criticized by the Lisbon City Council, which removed it, stating that it “was not authorized by the municipality” and represented an “affront to the city’s heritage.”
According to the municipal executive led by Carlos Moedas, the installation necessitated “the repair of the artistic Portuguese pavement existing at the site, which was damaged as a result of this act.”
Lisbon City Hall calls it an “affront to the city’s heritage.”
Notícias ao Minuto | 08:46 – 03/05/2025
This piece also drew attention, with the artist being accused of plagiarism. The controversy stemmed from the project ‘Lisbonopoly: The Housing Crisis Game’, created in 2023 by the artist known as Fartadaa.
In comments to Notícias ao Minuto, Bordalo II’s team firmly denied any allegations of plagiarism, asserting that “the works are undeniably different” while emphasizing that “the aim of this intervention is to raise awareness about the housing issue.”
