A residency in Buenos Aires

Back in Amsterdam- looking back on my residency in Buenos Aires

2009-06-04T07:57:00.013-03:00

It is now 2 weeks after my opening. I am back in Amsterdam for a week but with preparing, travelling and organizing things back home I have been too busy to update the blog.

The opening was a succes. My work was presented like an installation, the multiples hanging freely in the space, combined with the video 'Panta Rei' (with thanks to Alicia Candiani, director of 'ace).
The relation between the two different visual media was clear, just like I hoped and aimed for. Around 80 people came, amongst which my friends in BsAs, people from 'Luz Verde' (one of the 2 NGO's that I made a donation to, they support poor children), artists and people from different artistic 'redes' (networks) in Buenos Aires, tv and video professionals, and a known curator and art-critic.
A day after my opening she reviewed my work and after our talk she offered to take some of the works back with her to New York. She will respresent me in the US and Mexico. To begin with, my work will be in 2 group expositions this summer in the US:
- Galería Ruiz-Healy Art, San Antonio, Texas, www.ruizhealyart.com (this is linked to the McNay Museum of Art, they organize meetings of museum curators every 3 months to review new works)
- Print and Photography Art Fair, Cleveland Museum of Art

I am looking back on this project with great satisfaction. It gave me what I wanted and more: a fresh start with my art work, discovering new ways of working and experimenting, new contacts, exhibitions. I am so thankful for the support of the people from Proyecto'ace. All of them are artists and professionals. They helped me every step of the way in a very professional and almost intuitive manner (they could 'read' what I wanted to do). They understood me and offerd me freedom, guidance and practical support. This is a great residency place that I would recommend to visual artists interested in new ways of working with graphics. It changed my way of looking at my work and at printmaking. Because instead of limitations, they offer unlimited possibilities and stimulate the development of the artist's work and career.

the invitation for my opening on May 20 in 'ace

2009-05-12T02:06:00.002-03:00

'ace web and newsletter

2009-05-06T19:02:00.001-03:00

today, proyecto'ace updated their website with news about my residency, see: http://www.proyectoace.com.ar/en_agendaMarijkedeVries.html

and they also sent their newsletter with info about it. If you would like me to send it to you just let me know at info@marijkedevries.nl

working in 'ace has begun-a full!!!

2009-05-06T02:20:00.002-03:00

yesterday my official residency started. I am now working full time. It is going really well! I am inspired and feel good with the help of 'ace's team. They are supportive and they can also cook really good almuerzos!
I hardly have time to write so this is a small update. We are preparing the catalogue for the opening - there will be an announcement in the May edition of the Mapa de las artes, the BsAs gallery guide. I am happy with the flow of my work, multiple after multiple is drying on the rack!

my family visiting Buenos Aires...and 'Ace

2009-04-29T19:24:00.003-03:00

Saturday my daughter and her dad arrived for a 9-day visit. I really missed Eva in the last 6 weeks and am so happy that they are here! In the pictures: Leonard, Eva and Adriana, the master printer, who is explaining lots of things to them. And the last print that I made in 'Ace during the preparation period, that ended last week. This monday, May 4 the actual residency will start- fulltime work at 'Ace.

working in 'Ace

2009-04-20T19:54:00.001-03:00

dear friends, here I am working in Proyecto 'Ace (today)!

work in Proyecto 'Ace started

2009-04-19T14:31:00.000-03:00

I have worked in 'Ace for three days now. This week 2 more days, these days are a preparation for the fulltime residency that starts at May 1. In this preparation period I am trying out different techniques, working with Adriana, the master printer. It is a very intensive job! After a day's work I can hardly stand on my feet anymore. But I love it.

NGO's: I found 2 NGO's to support, both working with poor children, one in Rosario (El Desafio Foundation) and one here in Buenos Aires (Luz Verde). Yesterday Karina and Daco from Luz Verde were here. They explained a lot to me about the work they do. I like it. Karina is going to take me and Eva, my daughter, to a school in one of the villa's (slums) after Eva arrives here.
I am longing to see my daughter again after all this time. She arrives next saturday!

In the pictures, some of the preparations that I will bring to 'Ace tomorrow when we continue printing.

recuperated

2009-04-07T00:09:00.000-03:00

Finally recuperated from the nasty cold. The weather also got better. Here in Collegiales, it's much more 'barrio'. You don't find hairdressers and pedicures on every block, nor 'tarjetas larga distancia' (cheap telephone cards, to call home). It's so nice here that I hardly went out, for example to Palermo to buy the phone cards and finally get a haircut (which I really need).
Except of course at night- now that I'm better, have more energy, I really enjoy dancing tango and this weekend I got home in the early morning each day.
Wednesday my residency starts. In April there will be 5 days of 'Open studio' for me, meaning I will be working with the masterprinter, also to get more used to, and experiment with, new techniques. And then in May it's fulltime. I'm looking forward, also a bit nervous. It will change my rhythm of painting in the afternoon and dancing at night.
I am now in contact, with thanks to the Dutch Embassy here, with some NGO's doing good work helping street children. Exchanging information. Wiill be deciding which one I will support through my project, soon.
I love being here!

moving to Collegiales

2009-03-31T19:20:00.000-03:00

Tomorrow I will move to the apartment in Collegiales, and in a week I will start working in 'Ace. Yesterday the weather changed, temperatures dropping some 15 degrees and of course I got sick, sore throat, not feeling well, had to miss a performance of friends. Well weather can change really fast here.
It has been good here in Recoleta, I have been able to work and prepare for my work in 'Ace. Of course I have also been dancing tango a lot, making new friends, spending time with old friends.
I have contacted the Dutch Embassy here to seek their assistance with the street children project.
So far, so good!

cimeterio de la recoleta

2009-03-23T14:51:00.000-03:00

One of the pictures I took.
I plan to work in 'Ace combining this type of photos as a kind of 'background' texture with imagery added in another layer.

Arrived in Buenos Aires

2009-03-17T18:30:00.000-03:00

2 days ago I arrived in BsAs after a safe and very punctual flight. Checked into the apartment in Recoleta, where I will stay until April 1st. Then I will move to the neighbourhood of Colegiales, close to Proyecto'Ace where my residency is.
The first days are being used by settling in, taking care of the usual jetlag, going to tango events like the CITA festival where I meet friends and people I work with.
Tomorrow I have my first appointment with 'Ace, for which I am preparing by going over the many mails in which we exchanged ideas about my residency. Thinking about which techniques to use. Yesterday I met Bruno, a friend who also did a residency in 'Ace.

Weather is great as usual in March...good to feel some summer after long monts of winter in Amsterdam. Being in Recoleta brings back many memories, which will be of inspiration for my project. That's excactly why I planned these couple of weeks here. A la recherche du temps perdu. Will be going to the Cimeterio de la Recoleta to take pictures. Who knows what ghosts from the past will show up.

Update: sponsoring streetchildren

2009-02-15T09:42:00.000-02:00

After doing some calculations I can proudly announce that as of today an amount of over 4300 Argentine pesos (almost 1000 Euro) has been given by the different sponsors to support the streetchildren in Buenos Aires. This amount will be used exclusively for projects in BA to support them. This is a very good result, reached in only a few weeks.
The project is working!! I sincerely hope that this will inspire others to support it.

mailing friends and partners about the blog

2009-02-12T08:26:00.000-02:00

I made an address book to send the blog's address around to friends and contacts. On my webpage www.marijkedevries.nl there is a button now, to go to the blog directly.

My residency period in Buenos Aires will consist of a period of preparation (March and part of April), 5 days of working at Proyecto'Ace in April and the actual residency period there which will be from May 4- May 22. My opening at Proyecto'Ace will be on May 20. I invite everyone to come, of course!

2009-02-04T11:19:00.000-02:00

Today, February 4, I'm starting this blog to update my partners, sponsors, family and friends about my residency in Buenos Aires.

In the period of March 14- May 28 I will be in my 'second hometown' to make art, to dance, to write, to help street children.

From May 1- May 22 I will be working as artist in residence in Proyecto'Ace.

See www.proyectoace.com.ar for what they do....I am really happy! I created time and opportunity for my art work. And I believe that it will have a great result.

The ticket is bought, I rented my house, the residency is secured....now it's just preparing and planning until I leave Amsterdam in March.

More about the project, in the next blog!