VAGABUNDAS
A 2ª EDIÇÃO - 2024
ABOUT THE 1ST EDITION - 2023
During the month of March, the VAGABUNDAS Open Call took place with the aim of selecting two Portuguese artists or artists residing in Portugal, for the award of a scholarship and artistic residency in Mina de S. Domingos, municipality of Mértola, and the birthplace of Mercedes Blasco.
This year we received 24 applications and our jury, which this year included the participation of artists Ana Bugalho, Raquel André and Inês Achando, had the difficult task of choosing the two winning projects of this VAGABUNDAS edition.
The artists Margarida Azevedo and Vera Santana were selected, with the projects “Alma Lavra” and “PAPOILAS”, respectively.
With the “Alma Lavra” project, Margarida Azevedo intends to make known the reality of women in the interior of the country through stories and photographs, which result from portraits and interviews with those who live in the interior on a daily basis. The involvement of the local community is crucial for “Alma Lavra” to be a project that fuels public discussion about the interior/coastal dichotomy and the role of women.
“PAPOILAS” by Vera Santana is a multidisciplinary proposal that seeks to promote the development of female memory in the Mina S. Domingos community. From the collection of true stories, to an exploration of emotions about these memories that are shaped, depending on demographic factors, until being explored through a theatrical artistic language, and ending with the experience of sharing with the community.
During the month of May these artists are in residence at Mina de S. Domingos, taking advantage of this inspiring place and the generosity of its people, and with the necessary conditions to develop their creative projects, conditions that many still condition the work of women artists in our country.
At the end of this residency there was time to share the work developed as a result of research and creation with the community of Mina de S. Domingos and also take advantage of the moment to discuss the challenges inherent to female creation in communities where cultural and social desertification are a reality.
These Open Days were held at the location where the Residency took place and in Lisbon, enhancing the intersection of the two fronts: the valorization of the female presence in artistic creation while simultaneously connecting the two places with the greatest and least access to the arts and cultural diversity, in the interior of the country - Mina de S. Domingos - and the capital.
The Open Days took place on May 30th, at the Cineteatro da Mina de S. Domingos and on June 2nd at Penha Sco - Arte Cooperativa, Lisbon and included a debate with the artists and this year's jury panel: the invited artists Ana Borralho, Raquel André and Inês Achando (Cepa Torta).