How did the artists experience ๐ข๐ฑ๐ช๐ป๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ช๐ป๐ฌ๐ฑ, ๐ข๐ฑ๐ช๐ป๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐ป๐ช๐ฌ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ผ*? How did they start their day there? And how can a residency site support artists (better)? We asked Nata Mandaria and Sesa.
Content via detheatermaker ๐
*During this residency, three creators dive into their own projects for three weeks; by writing, playing, dancing, singing, interviewing, … Every Friday they meet and share their new insights and ideas with each other. On Mondays, they move places, so that by the end of the residency each artist has had one week to work and soak up the atmosphere at and of every house. This way the artists get to know each other and different work and play areas
NATA MANDARIA
How do you start a day in residence?
I arrive in a room, put down my things, put on music and go get a coffee. Then I acclimatise a bit to the space by making it cozy and choosing a workstation. I usually tuck myself away into a corner with books and my laptop. I am currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
How did you experience sharing your practice with other creators?
Exchanging with Mira and Sesa helped tremendously with my own process. They are two very different creators with very different perspectives, but the authenticity and interest in their niche, makes me dare to thaw into mine as well. The Friday afternoons were mega valuable and unknowingly all three of us were in the same world. In search of how traditions are born and what we keep of them and what we manipulate and pass on.
What was your last “Huh, why didn’t I know this?” moment?
I hadn’t considered at all that there are other ways to pickle vegetables! Mira told me that you can pickle vegetables with salt or vinegar, but I only knew about pickled vegetables in vinegar. The taste of salted pickled vegetables is quite different. One that tastes less to me.
What can a residency site do/offer to support your process?
A warm welcome and clear explanations around material use. Enough checking in with residents, because we can disappear right into the studio. Before you know it, it’s already over and we haven’t been able to break out of our own bubble. Those exchanges are important to keep challenging your outlook.
SESA
How did you start a day in residence?
I liked to start my residency days by writing 3 pages full on instrumentals. It’s kind of a check-in of where I’m at at the time and can handle.
How did you experience sharing your practice with other creators?
I genuinely found it very valuable. It was nice to get inspired on a weekly basis and be able to take it to the next residency week. It is often underestimated how important it is for artists to have moments of sharing, I am conscious about that but often forget to put it into practice. So very nice that space was provided for this.
What was your last “Huh, why didn’t I know this?” moment?
During an exchange moment with the other residents, it was about exploring why certain things affect us. For example, when you like a song: ask yourself why. And with each answer, you ask again why. Thus you go deeper, layer by layer, until you finally arrive at the core of your reason.
What can a residency site do/offer to support your process?
For me, getting enough space is super ideal. Space to be there, to not be there without having to justify it. Space to be lost for a while, to get stuck, space to be in my artistic chaos and the space to get out again. I think that’s important!
