In 2018 Art Aia - Creatives / In / Residence and the Arts Territory Exchange created the first Residency in Sustainable practice with International artists Beatrice Lopez from Norway and Kelly Leonard from Australia. It has been an opportunity to establish connections between artists, farmers, eco-entrepreneurs, and members of the local rural community.
The CSPA
The Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts, a Think Tank for Sustainability in the Arts and Culture, advised on the project. After a year's correspondence, the Australian Kelly Leonard and the Norwegian Beatrice Lopez were selected by Art critics and curators also from GroundWork Gallery, UK to attend the residency.
Residency in sustainable practices at Art Aia - Creatives / In / ResidenceArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Interconnected Walk: A process-based piece of art.
The two artists walked in two large circles that intersected in its middle; Leaving a path of these two interconnected circles resembling infinity.
Field Walk Residency in Sustainable practice by Beatrice LopezArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Trace of a path of these two interconnected circles resembling infinity by walks of Kelly Leonard and Beatrice Lopez on a field used as an outdoor art space of Art Aia - Creatives / In / Residence.
Artist in Residence program. Kelly Leonard and Beatrice Lopez visiting town of Friuli (2018) by Giovanni MorassuttiArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
The artists also discovered the area of Friuli visiting towns and attending local exhibitions by artists like Orietta Masin among others. They tested local food and drinks like Spritz at a vernissage.
Principi di Porcía e Brugnera farm: biogas meets the energy demand of 3,000 householdsArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Cantina Principi di Porcia
"Their Dynamic Tradition is agricultural cultural and technological innovation in respect of the enviroment"
Artist in Residence visiting Cantina Principi di Porcia. (2020) by Art Aia Creatives In ResidenceArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Kelly Leonard and Beatrice Lopez were able to meet Prince Guecello, owner of Cantina Principi di Porcia, and discuss the crossovers of culture, sustainable agriculture, and artistic practices.
Filtering (2018)Art Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Filter performing at Cantina Principi di Porcia.
The artists walked with a large filtering fabric in front of a large deposit of processed soy. The performance was done at the farm belonging to the Cantina and it emphasizes the necessity to filter and recycle
Filtering at the gallery (2018) by Beatrice Lopez, Kelly LeonardArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Filter at the gallery space
While back at Art Aia - Creatives / In / Residence the fabric was then hung up along with the residue of processed soya from Porcia as a symbol to a sustainable future.
ATE residency (2018) by Beatrice LopezArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Throughout their time working together the artists have realized an exhibition called 'Connected by a Thread' exploring environmental issues and spiritual affinity.
Some of the artworks realized at the residency
The artworks were a result of a collaborative research by Kelly Leonard and Beatrice Lopez and they express a symbolic offering to nature.
Prayer Wheel
A composition made of local organic residue creating bundle of reed and placing them in a circular shape. Inside the wooden painted sticks there were eco calls written by the artists that involved an immersive act to do in nature. Making it an interactive and curious installation for the public.
Held artwork (2018) by Beatrice Lopez, Kelly LeonardArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Held
Three woven hangings brought by Kelly Leonard containing pockets with picked up pebbles from the area to alter the notion of been held. Each stone is seen touched and contained in a pocket.
Water Talks (2018) by Beatrice Lopez, Kelly LeonardArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Water Talks.
A sound installation overlapping the sound of water running in the area, it being a land where the soil is filled with moisture with artists reciting poetry by Lars Saabye Christensen.
Soft Touch (2018) by Beatrice Lopez, Kelly LeonardArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Soft Touch.
A woll ball from Iceland brought by Beatrice Lopez was placed on local organic residue. Showing the artists love for the raw and natural state.
ATE residency (2018) by Beatrice LopezArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Artist in Residence program. Kelly Leonard and Beatrice Lopez (2018) by Giovanni MorassuttiArt Aia - Creatives / In / Residence
Connected by a Thread.
Artist in Residence : Beatrice Lopez (NO) Kelly Leonard (AUS)
Curated by : Giovanni Morassutti and Gudrun Filipska
Artist in Residence : Beatrice Lopez (NO) Kelly Leonard (AUS)
Technical Sponsor : Azienda Principi di Porcia
Video editor and curator : Arianna Serio
With the Patronage of Comune di Sesto Al Reghena.
Locations : Art Aia - Creatives / In / Residence, Fattoria d'Azzano, San Vito Al Tagliamento, Roads and Highways in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Special Thanks to : Arts Territory Exhange, The Centre for Sustainable practice in the Arts, Guecello di Porcia, Cantina Principi di Porcia, Bio Gas Channel.