Arts Collaboratory

In Belo Horizonte, the 3rd largest city of Brazil, the arts organisation CEIA (Centro Experimentação e informação de Arte) works on democratisation of the arts circuit by offering alternative curriculae. The existing arts institutes have conservative and hierarchical structures and curricula. There is a closed mindset within the art circuit and knowledge sharing and exchange amongst artists is often blocked.

In 2012, CEIA proposes to conduct its eight international event, having as its main focus the permeability between the various practices of artistic expression. This project "Permeabilities" consists of three elements: a residency programme, an international event and various publications. At present, CEIA perceives an increasing tendency to work within the boundaries and restrictions of the various art disciplines. The organisation wants to create a space where experimentation and sharing between disciplines is central.

The aims of the program are:

• to promote mobility between the various artistic practices;
• to increase training processes and to improve professional knowledge in Brazilian contemporary art;
• to enable exchange between local artists in Belo Horizonte, Brazilian artists and artists of other nationalities;
• to bring together creators from divers fields of knowledge.

Workshops will be given by Otobong Nkanga (Nigeria/Belgium), Ade Darmawan (Indonesia), Ana Tavares (Brazil) en Sonia Laboriau (Brazil). From the Rijksacademy several alumni and participants will participate, among others Admire Kamudzengerere (Zimbabwe) and Maryanto (Indonesia', from the Netherlands Femmy Otten and Maarten Sleewits and Xu Mu (the Netherlands/China).

CEIA was founded in 2001 as an alternative platform to confront the established conservative and hierarchical art institutions in Brasil, in particular in Belo Horizonte. The organisation functions as an active platform for practice of and reflection on contemporary artistic productions. CEIA aims to inspire young artists to be critical, reflective and analytical by stimulating innovative productions and
methods. The organisation was founded in 2001 by artist Marco Paulo Rollo and art historian Marcos Hill. The institution has developed activities aimed at art production and offers various types of exchange through international events organised in Belo Horizonte. Since 2001, CEIA has held seven international events in this city, contributing to different forms of production and exchange of knowledge in the fields of physical and visual arts. CEIA has no physical space but works together with other cultural organisations to implement its activities. From 2011, CEIA forms a partnership with the Clovis Salgado Foundation.