Más Arte Más Acción's programme is shaped by Chocó Base. The Base will be used as a real and virtual platform for projects in association with South American, African and Asian partners between 2012 and 2016. It will offer participants an opportunity to stay at this extraordinary location, to consider pressing concerns and to share knowledge with the region's communities. MAMA developed a broad theme in 2011, which gives structure to their future programme.
Utopia and dystopia were important concepts in the creation of the Chocó Base. Since 2016 marks the 500th anniversary of Sir Thomas More's 'Utopia', when the word first entered language and minds in Europe, it is timely and appropriate that the programme should seek to consider the notion of a 'Nuevatopia’ (Newtopia), from this off-centre vantage point in the 'developing' world.
These concerns take on a powerful meaning when considered from and within Colombia's endangered Chocó rainforest. This equatorial region represents one of two global social and environmental poles that have moved further apart as urbanisation and western-style capitalism take root and cities expand. Más Arte Más Acción believes in the potential to bring these poles together, to interact, cooperate and learn from one another rather than compete.
Nuevatopia has three strands:
- Global South Exchanges:
A programme of international exchanges, between Africa, Asia and Latin America to generate collaborations and discussions between artists, local leaders, communities and national/international participants. Each project in Colombia will take approximately 4- 6 weeks, split between Chocó and our partners in Cali, Medellín or Bogotá. One Colombian artist will be invited to work with an African partner organisation each year.
- Plataforma Chocó:
Building on the first three Plataforma Chocó projects, one artist each year from Colombia will be invited to Chocó and also to a national partner. The first Plataforma Chocó in 2012 will explore issues relating to food, sustainability and health. The artist will then develop this project within an urban context. Collaborations will involve us as producers, Colombian artists, Chocó's communities, national and international audiences including educational and cultural institutions, the press and media.
- Space to Reflect:
Participants linked to academic institutions, media and publications from around the world will be invited to take time out from their practice to stay at the Chocó Base. In addition to having time to reflect on their work and engage with local communities, they will be invited to consider the programme in Chocó and produce a written piece of work to be included in the 2016 Nuevatopia book.
