Spatial Configurations for Art Production
Culture, building in an existing context
2018

ESTUDOS is the idea of a space devoted to the creation of art and culture, conceived as a material infrastructure open to time-based (film, video, performance, dance, theatre) and research-oriented practices (writing, theory and education), a tool for local and international artists and theorists to develop their work. An artist residency understood as a production facility, opposed to the exhibition-only art centre model –politics of visibility and utility of the space for both foreign and local artists and other actors.

The idea of locating the project in Setúbal, Portugal is due to specific possibilities for the re-use of empty built environments and economic factors as well as interactions with people linked to the city. The close distance between Setúbal and Lisbon would enable international air connections, while being far enough to work as a retreat. The role of the embracing nature that surrounds the city (Parque Natural da Arrábida, Reserva Natural do Estuário do Rio Sado and the coastline of Comporta) should amplify the qualities and possibilities of this place.

For us, working on an existing built environment follows the idea of reusing when possible existing resources in a context where many built empty spaces provide food for thought around how to work as architects in the existing city to improve its qualities. To locate and observe formal structures and work with them to amplify and enrich them, as well as its surroundings; create new situations within existing ones with frugal means of construction and the social processes enabled by the new space.

Walking along the streets within the baroque wall of Setúbal, almost erased as an element but still present as a form, crossing empty buildings and lots —many have left for the outskirts or for good—, stopping for a coffee or for grilled fish, finding a getaway nearby or sitting and looking at the horizon by the water becomes an important part of the project.

How much time elapses between lunch and shooting a scene?
A shower and a rehearsal?
What happens in between, which paths would be crossed and which people would be met on the way?

In the old city, a former cinema and casino becomes a place for cooperation with the city and interaction with locals, among other public uses.

Across the main avenue, in the industrial area by the port, a former canning factory serves as a production facility for both theory and practice without spatial constraints.

Their surroundings offer places to sleep: carte blanche!

Time to produce, time to live, time to move, time to stay and everything in between. All places change in time and transform depending to different situations.