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Cultivate
La Baldi Residency
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Description
Cultivate is an evolving collection of interdisciplinary artists, writers, and researchers driven by investigations of landscape, place, and the commons. Projects include experimental and practical art explorations that wrestle with the qualities, perceptions, and layers of experience that inform and expand notions of landscape. Ideas from a full spectrum of voices across generations are supported using sustainable tactics. From the hyper-local to the global, Cultivate reflects individual and collective curiosity, intention, imagining, and engagement with the phenomena of landscape.
La Baldi Residency for welcomes individual and collaborative teams of artists, writers, and researchers. The multi-disciplinary residency is located in the historic village of Montegiovi, Italy, in southern Tuscany. The self-directed international residency is an opportunity to experiment, develop ideas and projects, dream, explore, rejuvenate, research, and investigate the land and culture of this special area. There are no dedicated traditional indoor studio facilities. They ask that applicants consider how they plan to embrace the outdoors as the primary workspace.
The residency honors the inspiring, generous legacy of Maura Baldi— a dynamic educator of literature, a fierce protector of the curiosity and expression of youth, and a spirited advocate for art, sustainable land practices and the life and history of the area. “La Baldi” (The Baldi), as her beloved students called her, was and is even now a unique force in their lives. She trusted and believed in the power of their potential to be extraordinary human beings and engaged world citizens. Sharing and exchange were imperatives for La Baldi, and they permeate the ethos of the residency along with Cultivate’s free-ranging investigation of landscape.
Residents are introduced to the history, culture, ecology, agriculture, food and cooking of Montegiovi, Italy, and are encouraged to immerse themselves in the landscape by working outdoors, walking, eating/cooking, and exploring the social-environmental-political dynamic and resources of the local communities.
Through the La Baldi residency, Cultivate expands its platform for artists, writers, and researchers to investigate landscape, place, and the commons.
Outcome
Residents are free to pursue their own work, creative rejuvenation, and experimentation.
Opportunities to share work, work-in-progress, or research are available, but not required. Usually these will occur during the final week of the residency. Spontaneous meetings for coffee, meals, aperitivo, or treks are valuable community interactions and opportunities for exchange.
Residents are encouraged to submit images, audio, video, written responses/essays, or residency projects for inclusion in the journal on the Cultivate website.
Studio Information
There are no dedicated traditional indoor studio facilities. We ask that applicants consider how they plan to embrace the outdoors as the primary workspace Workspace is outside in the open air of the gardens, on the porch at Olivastra, in the garden of Il Miccio pizzeria pub (on the street leading to the top of the village), on walks, on the village overlook, in the piazzas of neighbouring towns, or inside the apartments or house (small works, writing). Even when working inside, the orientation is to the outside through windows and doors that move the gaze to the land, weather, light and stars.
Indoor working space at Olivastra is reserved for residents as needed.
If working indoors, all activities must adhere to a strict “leave no trace,” “leave no harm” green policy.
Accommodation Information
Residents live in private accommodations in Montegiovi, Italy, a village of 200 people. Via Alberghi apartment for one artist and companion. Two rooms with views to the east and west, kitchen, bath with shower, queen bed and outside sitting area/terrace. WiFi is available.
Small terratetto house (Piazza Matteotti little house) for one artist and companion. Three small rooms, stacked on top of each other on three different floors including kitchen, study, queen bed, bath with shower, balcony, and a large garden with panoramic views. No WiFi, but participants can use WiFi at L’Olivastra at Poderi Borselli or other sites if desired or necessary.
Via del Ponte apartment for one artist and companion or collaborative teams of up to three artists. Three private bedrooms (one single and two doubles) with shared kitchen, bath with shower, half bath, dining area, balcony, and study. Garden/terrace with views to the east. WiFi available. The entrance is shared in common with adjoining neighbours.
Montegiovi is a medieval village with many steps, stairs, and varied terrain that may not always be even. Please consider your comfort level with walking in these conditions. We are happy to provide as much information as possible to ensure your comfort. The accommodations are non-accessible, but if this residency sounds like a perfect match for you, please contact us, and we will try to find an accessible accommodation in the village or nearby. Accommodations are smoke free environments.
Technical Information
• An HD projector is available in the little house for image or video projection.
• WiFi and internet are available in the apartment and at Poderi Borselli/L’Olivastra.
• The little house is internet and WiFi free offering an opportunity to temporarily disconnect and work without distraction.
• An art supply and stationery store is located in nearby Castel del Piano.
• A print and graphic shop is available in Castel del Piano.
• Laundromats (lavanderie) are located in nearby Castel del Piano or Arcidosso.
• Upon request and availability, community contacts that align with artist intentions can be made to enrich the residency.
Location
Shifting virtual and analogue locations in watersheds around the globe with physical bases in the Washington, D. C. metro area, Montana, and Italy.
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