Igatu, Brazil
Mirante Xique-Xique (MXX) is a non-profit artist-led residency located in the mountains of the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil. The residency welcomes researchers and practitioners across various fields such as arts, architecture, cuisine, and environmental studies, including those involved in community practices, agroecology, permaculture, and bioconstruction. The aim is to provide an immersive environment conducive to research and creative projects, while promoting the authenticity and sustainability of the Chapada Diamantina region. MXX supports the maintenance of a community library, cultural activities, and environmental education for the Igatu community, emphasizing the safeguarding of both architectural and intangible heritage. MXX offers a unique opportunity for researchers and artists to engage deeply with the environment and community of the Chapada Diamantina, fostering meaningful connections and promoting sustainable practices.
The spaces provided are a dream and the location is very special, highly recommend for those with practices related to ecologies, territory/land, identity, biology, sustainability,
Benefits: the residency program provides an excellent opportunity to be connected with the natural environment around the house. We can be free to walk, draw and paint directly in a wonderful landscape. The mentors provide their help and opinions, but let the artists free to create whatever we are into. The spaces we have to read and draw aren't so comfortable. During the day it's good, but when there's no sunlight, the artificial illumination is not enough. The tables and chairs could be more adequate too. But in the end, the full experience is so overwhelming, that it worth the pity to have some backache.
The residency was very rewarding. Their framework is to provide an environment for research and engagement with the location and community. Their proposal does not encompass studios and equipment, materials or funds for creating artwork on site. This residency is perfect for artists interested in the relation of their research and the environment, history, community, etcetera. Its a unique place and experience. The artists who created Mirante Xique-xique help every artist integrate each individual research to their own conception of the residency in a very organic way.
Denis and Leo are amazing. The food, nature, peace and colors, everything was beautiful.
It’s hard to rate MXX residency program based on a scale, because when immersed in Igatu life just happens and the boundaries between living and producing kind of makes no sense. Living in Igatu for the residency allows us to think about the role of art in our lives and experience other ways of existence. Igatu is a place where all boundaries get mixed up, and that’s the beauty of it. Although it’s not easy to get to MXX (airplane, bus and taxi, in my case), it’s worth the effort. The Chapada Diamantina and its surroundings are gorgeous, both in terms of culture and nature.
I had an amazing experience there, the nature is unique and inspiring. The coordinators where very helpful and the network of local people and exchange of local knowledge was really special.
Benefits: cultural heritage, nature environment and all relationship with the comunity of Igatu- one special little city in Chapada Diamantina.
The residence is placed in a wonderful and inspiring landscape in Brazilian inland, but it is isolated and far from any big town. The accommodation and working spaces are not amazing, maybe lacking the sophistication you would find in the big cities, but the hosts were more than happy to provide anything at their hands to make things easier. the spirit of intense collaboration and creative freedom is something I will always remember from this period. I have developed many works and projects but not many significant contacts in the art world context apart from my colleges from residence and the hosts.