CULTURE OUTSIDE THE MUSEUM
A LOCAL CULTURAL PROGRAM WITHOUT BORDERS
INTRODUCTION
The Melides Art Foundation curated a pioneering program and platform to foster culture and stimulate innovative exchanges and creation across art, culture, and science. The program is articulated in a catalog of 36 projects, each curated by leading voices in a range of creative, artistic and intellectual spheres. The scope of this program encompasses publications, artist residencies, exhibitions, talks, and community events.
The richness and scope of this program reflects a commitment to creating a dynamic cultural ecosystem. The program envisions a cultural system that is free from the constraints of the market and the art world. What sets this program apart is a horizontally-integrated structure that ensures an interconnected experience for participants, creators, and audiences. By creating a program outside traditional institutions, culture takes place through decentralized satellites and agents, increasing their sociocultural impact on society.
THE SETTING
Located an hour away from Lisbon in Melides, Portugal, an area in the Alentejo region with access to the ocean, great light, and temperate climate year round. The program will be organized into media studios dedicated to different creative disciplines that interact synergistically, as well as a separate exhibition center, a library, and open-air performances and events. A unique artist residency will be an integral part of the cultural program, with artists across different disciplines invited by a selected committee to live and work for periods ranging from two weeks to two months. Integrating a beautiful natural setting with cutting-edge architectural facilities, each of the studios will be equipped with the necessary resources for artists to create work and live on-site. It's a place of retreat where artists can connect with nature and work in creative solitude.
CULTURAL IMPACT
At its core, the project brings local culture into a dynamic dialogue with the global context by inviting mentors, artists, creatives, and thinkers. The project is a type of innovative urban acupuncture that activates local resources and talent. It envisions a non-destructive future, one that is metabolic and provides novel perspectives on sustainable living and creative production.
The project will register, document, measure outcomes, as well as aid in developing the region of the Alentegio. It sees culture as a path to development that respects nature and integrates communities. To firmly establish this knowledge and pass it down across generations, the foundational insights will be recorded and shared through a dedicated newsletter, digital publications, and an annual printed publication. This approach ensures the continuity of gained wisdom and facilitates its dissemination to a wider audience.
THE STUDIO SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
The program is implemented across a complex of studios, with each studio dedicated to a creative discipline. Currently, there are ten studios: Visual Arts, Writing, Performance, Film, Music, Fashion, Design, Architecture, New Media, and Gastronomy. In addition to providing state-of-the-art facilities and resources for cultural production, the studios will include space for artist residencies. The studios will also host classes, workshops, talks and seminars with innovative thinkers and practitioners. Each studio will be guided by a select group of distinguished patrons and mentors.
THE STUDIOS
THE VISUAL ARTS STUDIO
The Visual Studio is dedicated to developing the work of artists working in the fields of painting, drawing, etching, photography, and printing. Fully equipped to accommodate a broad range of practices, the studio will include a residency option that lasts two to six weeks. The resulting works will be compiled and published in the Melides Art print publication, as well as presented at the Exhibition Center.
PAINTING
DRAWING
PHOTOGRAPHY
PRINTMAKING
DIGITAL ART
COLLAGE
SCULPTURE
CERAMICS
POTTERY
THE WRITING STUDIO
The Writing Studio is dedicated to advancing the written word, and will invite writers and poets to two to six week residencies, providing them with the perfect setting to realize their ideas. The output of the Writing Studio will be published in a quarterly or biannual journal published by Melides Art. Readings and events will be organized on a scheduled basis.
FICTION LITERATURE
NON-FICTION LITERATURE AND JOURNALISM
POETRY
STORYTELLING
THE PERFORMANCE STUDIO
The Performance Studio will encourage performers across theater, dance, and magic. The studio will encompass/encapsulate a range of performance spaces, including spacious open-format studios, performance halls, and outdoor theaters that frame the surrounding landscape.
THEATER
PERFORMANCE
DANCE
MAGIC
THE FILM STUDIO
The Film Studio will provide facilities, resources, and state of the art tools for individuals working in screenwriting, editing and post production. The studio will host talks and seminars, as well as film screenings and cycles curated by filmmakers and actors.
SCREENWRITING
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
EDITING & POST PRODUCTION
NEW MEDIA CINEMA (MOBILE PHONES) DRONE FILMMAKING
THE MUSIC STUDIO
The Music Studio is dedicated to musical production across different genres, including classical and contemporary music, electronic music, experimental music, and sound art. A broad range of tools and equipment enable musicians to materialize their visions and projects. The studio will organize live performances and concerts, and will have its own broadcasting media channels.
MUSIC PRODUCTION EDUCATION
Planned Projects:
Experimental Music Studio hosted by Stephan Crasneasnski of Soundwalk
Collective Electronic Music Studio hosted by Conrad from The Embassy of Music
Traditional Music Studio hosted by John Lush
THE FASHION STUDIO
The Fashion Studio will provide materials and tools for creatives working in different fashion disciplines. An emphasis will be placed on advancing the principles of sustainable fashion practices, as well as traditional/ millinery techniques and craftsmanship. Industry insiders and local craftsmen will be invited to give talks, demos, and seminars.
FABRIC DESIGN
WEAVING
EMBROIDERY
JEWELLERY
THE DESIGN STUDIO
The Design Studio will be a place to examine and re-envision the objects that surround us. Cutting-edge tools for product design and idea materialization will be provided, including 3D printers, laser cutters, design software, and prototyping materials.
PRODUCT DESIGN
FURNITURE DESIGN
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
DECORATIVE ARTS (CRAFTS)
THE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO
The Architecture Studio will host seminars and talks with top architects working in green architecture and climate resiliency. Adopting their research to the local context. Have the studio be a place of outreach, education, and research.
ARCHITECTURE
URBANISM
BUILDING
SUSTAINABILITY
NEW MEDIA STUDIO
The New Media Studio will explore the vanguard of new technologies for the creation of new artistic expressions. By delving into their theory and implementation, this studio will be guided by an experimental and innovative approach. This studio can host a Tech Founders’ Gathering, a summit of founders from the top technological companies focused on how technology can engage in building a different future. The one-week summit will culminate in the publication of a white paper.
AI IMAGE GENERATING
AI PROMPTING
SOCIAL MEDIA INTERVENTIONS
BIG DATA VISUALIZATION
AUGMENTED AND VIRTUAL REALITY
THE GASTRONOMY STUDIO
The Gastronomy Studio will highlight farm-to-table cooking, regenerative agriculture, sustainability and conservation, and will revive holistic and integrative approaches to culinary practices. We will invite individuals working at the vanguard of the culinary arts to deconstruct traditions for the modern times. The studio will also host classes, workshops, talks, and conferences with the notable innovators in this field.
COOKING
MUSHROOM FORAGING & RESEARCH
BEEKEEPING & APICULTURE
PERMACULTURE AND REGENERATIVE
AGRICULTURE
LIBRARY
A dedicated space for educational, visual, and material resources.
A creative practice library is a curated collection of resources that fosters artistic and innovative endeavours. It offers a diverse range of materials, from books and journals to multimedia content, tailored to inspire and support creative projects across various disciplines and mediums.
OTHER PROJECTS
BILLBOARD EXHIBITION - Invite a selection of artists to do billboards in public spaces. .