Dates: 30th September to 5th October
Beneficiary: Laura Calvo, Rural Hackers (Galicia, Spain)
“Rural Hackers is an international organization dedicated to fostering innovation and creativity at the intersection of technology, rural living and art. We provide a platform for european interdisciplinary collaboration, empowering technologists, innovators and artists, to challenge traditional thinking and create groundbreaking projects that inspire positive change.”
Hosting Creative Hub: Culture Hub Croacia, Prostor (Split, Croatia)
“Culture Hub Croatia (CHC) is a non-profit organization officially founded in January 2017 in Split. CHC is using education, culture and creativity for development of local communities through transmission of knowledge and expertise and promotion of art practices. This is mainly achieved through establishing meaningful partnerships and collaborations at the national and international levels, actively addressing local challenges and using arts and culture as a tool.
Through our physical creative hub Prostor in Split, our mission is to create an inclusive place for networking of creatives, initiate and facilitate development and implementation of projects of social interest, nurturing the value of transparency and mutual trust, with frequent experimentation going beyond traditional ways of doing things and often questioning established social norms.”
Why did you decide to apply to this program and visit this creative hub?
As a member of Rural Hackers, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to our mission of empowering rural communities through artistic creative and innovative projects. One of the ways I’ve been able to do this is through “Boor,” a personal artistic project I started in 2020. “Boor” has become an integral part of our workshops and initiatives, offering a fresh perspective on themes like nature and human interaction while resonating deeply with the communities we engage with.
The exchange program with the creative hub Prostor presented an exciting opportunity for Rural Hackers to further expand our impact in the art field. This exchange not only allowed us to share our unique artistic approach with an international audience but also provided us with new insights and techniques from Prostor’s innovative practices.
By participating in this exchange, Rural Hackers can deepen its creative toolkit, generating dialogue and collaboration that will enhance our efforts both locally and internationally. The skills and knowledge we gain will directly benefit the communities we serve, allowing us to return with new ideas to invigorate our workshops and broaden the scope of our initiatives.
What objectives did you meet during the exchange?
First of all, learning from Prostor's cultural management. I observed and learned from the management practices and strategies of a renowned cultural hub. How they attract people, impact on the cultural movement of the city and promote synergies between people living in Split and those passing through.
I also gained knowledge about the organization and management of cultural spaces, and how these contribute to the development and sustainability of artistic projects.
On the other hand, I had the opportunity to interact with other artists, which has allowed me to learn about their works, audiences and experiences. Through these conversations, we shared the artistic perspectives of both regions. I established valuable connections with artists, curators and art professionals in Croatia, which may lead to future collaborations, exhibitions and opportunities.
Last but not least, I documented the exchange experience through art -including journals and photographs on the impact of the exchange on my work and artistic development- and transferred my artistic knowledge about pointillism to other artists, students, and members of the local community in a workshop called: “The art of dots”.
What activities did you do during your exchange?
Over the next few days I worked on my own artwork and started planning the workshop based on local experience. The workshop “The art of dots” was finally held on Friday, October 4th and was a two-hour session with students, artists and other people from the community about the pointillism technique. We learned about the history of the technique, its beginnings and its greatest representatives. I presented Boor and we created unique pieces on different plastic materials.
During these days I had individual meetings with the different people who make up the Prostor team to learn about their experience and to be able to share concerns and knowledge, as well as to create networks for future collaborations.
I also had the opportunity to meet and be amazed by the work of Sara Niksic, a marine biologist who makes music with the sound of whales. At the end of her conference there was time for a networking session with local artists and community members.
What new community did you meet at the hosting hub?
From the team that runs Prostor to the people who participate in its activities and projects and the ones who run and have their artistic spaces in the city, during this week I have met a curious, open-minded, creative, intelligent, hard-working and generous community.
