As many European capitals, Lisbon has changed dramatically in the last decade in the uses and representations of public spaces. These changes are related to an increase of immigration, tourism flows, international students and artist’ exchanges, in-between forms of networking affinities. This population in transit has provoked different perceptions of the city landscape, transforming places of meeting and exclusionary places where political, social and economic powers transversely operate. Hereupon, we could take a closer look on the interaction of individuals, groups and organizations in the construction of the contemporary urban relations, in these new public spheres where artistic practices, social and cultural meanings take place. We’ll present an exploratory ethnographic research following the paths of different artists who work in the main streets of Lisbon. This presentation focuses on the ways in which these actors adjust their artistic activities to audiences that pass through core places of Lisbon. Hence, we will analyse cooperative and competitive ties embedding in their public performances. We will see how the commitment of these artists to achieve public status, aesthetic expression, sociability between peers and continuity of artistic occupation interconnects with the historical context, the political and economic powers that induce the decisions and goals of the social organization of the city.

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