Natural and cultural history call

Natural and cultural history of Gran Canaria, 2-week semi-full board active residency call

Exploring the uniqueness of our island, gaining an overview of two thousand years of human interaction with the natural setting. Walks and hikes of natural and cultural value in the height of the vegetation period, also swims, local food. On site study of geology, botany, archaeology, agriculture, colonialism, multiculturalism.

Volcanic origin and periods, rock and soil formations, natural monuments, island scale infrastructural interventions for farming, water management. The benevolent subtropical climate, high density of microclimates, highest number of endemic plant species. Constant human settlement from the 2nd century A.D., aboriginal Amazigh people of North African origin living in a “forced stone age” without metals for 12 centuries in isolation, developing their culture adapted to the natural conditions: astral, ritual, and practical architecture; figurative and geometric visual language. Castilian conquest from 1478: the pilot project for colonialism, European and American influences, the hub between three continents, culture of ‘mestizaje’. International art movements, vernacularisms. Origins of health travel. Effects of totalitarianism, then the welfare state; mass tourism and the alternatives for that.

Exceptional artist / researcher resident / guest community, in an unconquerable castle, a landscape straight out of a fairy-tale, in one of the world’s best climates by common consensus. As this is the fertile northern part of the island, in this programme do not expect a continental summer, but rather springlike weather.

Semi-full board of local food focus: all breakfasts, dinners, also lunches on non-excursion days: Mediterranean / tropical / fusion kitchen; lunches on 7 excursion days in local restaurants are not included in the price, neither alcoholic beverages.

9 excursions in 14 days, the exact programme is to be adjusted to the participants’ optional focus of the above outlined topics, also taking the actual weather conditions in account. In details:

1 arriving, welcome dinner
2 house & garden tour / Santa Brígida old town, Drago de Pino Santo centenary dragon blood tree, Cueva de los Gatos aboriginal cave, Tres Piedras viewpoint
3 Las Palmas old town, Market, Cathedral, Museums, (ex-)monasteries
4 Atelier work / free programme
5 Jardín Canario, El Atlante geological section, Salinas del Bufadero old salt plant, ocean blowhole, swim at Bañaderos / Finca de Osorio old estate with laurel leaf forest, Teror, Basilica of Virgen del Pino
6 Bandama volcanic crater, Plaza Perdida winery, Telde old town, Bufadero blowhole, Taliarte swim / Cuatro Puertas cave complex, Guayadeque ravine
7 Atelier work / free programme
8 Cueva de las Estrellas, Fortaleza fortress, Salt plant Las Salinas, Arinaga swim / lighthouse, Agüimes old town, Cueva de Audiencia, Barranco de las Vacas, Morro del Cuervo
9 Ecohuerta, Llanos de Ana López, Pozo de las Nieves, Roque Nublo / Cruz de Tejeda, Artenara Unesco Sacred mountains centre, ethnographical museum, Mirador Astronómico de Gáldar
10 Atelier work / free programme
11 Playa de Montaña Arena swim, El Llanillo / Arguineguín, Playa de Amadores, Parque Tony Gallardo, Lighthouse and Dunes of Maspalomas
12 Agaete, Botanical garden, Necropolis, natural pools swim / Puerto de las Nieves, Gáldar old town, Archeological Museum, Cenobio de Valerón granary
13 Atelier work / free programme

14 Firgas, Barranco de Azuaje / Moya, Los Tilos de Moya, Brezal de Santa Christina

15 breakfast, leave

Duration of residency

Two weeks.

Accommodation

Each of the four ateliers is separate, with double beds. We have two shared bathrooms, also various terraces.

Disciplines, work equipment and assistance

All disciplines.

Studio / Workspace

The rooms serve as separate ateliers. For more information and pictures please visit our website: www.airguiniguada.org

Fees and support

This programme has a fee of €1950. Partners are allowed in the same atelier for the fee of €1700. 9 excursions in 14 days. Airport transfer. Semi-full board: all breakfasts, dinners, also lunches on non-excursion days; lunches on 7 excursion days in local restaurants are not included in the price, neither alcoholic beverages.

Note: Once your application has been accepted, your place will be secured with receiving 50% of the fee (non-refundable). Travel or medical insurance costs are not included in the fee.

Expectations towards the artist

No.

Application information

Please send the applications to airguiniguada@gmail.com, with the following content: full name (as it appears in the passport), gender, date of birth, number of the passport, e-mail address, country of living and citizenship; website detailing recent work. In case of not having a website attach a short biography or cv and samples of your work. Please indicate your preferred topics of the above-mentioned themes of this programme. Applications are evaluated by staff, two weeks after the deadline. Note this programme is a participant dependent one: there is a minimum of three persons, and a maximum of six (included partners).