Reaching out to Isolated Communities through Artist Residencies

Colombia is a country where drug-related crime and violence impacts the daily life of all its citizens, even those living far from it. For communities residing in areas where the geography and a lack of infrastructure cut them off from the rest of the country, the threat of violence further deters them from travel. This isolation limits the flow of creative ideas. Platforma Chocó of the Colombian-based cultural foundation Más Arte Más Acción wants to reach out to these communities by organising artistic residencies that stimulate cultural activity. 

The residencies aim to support innovative projects that build connections with Colombia's most isolated communities by developing a network of international multi-disciplinary artists. The residencies also have an educational aspect. In one residency in 2012, Colombian visual artist Libia Posada recovered and recorded knowledge about living off the land in a region where people have little access to modern medicine. Posada explored the themes of food, sustainability, nutrition and health through classes, the creation of medicinal gardens, a publication and a documentary.

July- August 2012