Articulation and Surge recently offered a place at the renowned Street Performing Arts Summer Academy in Tàrrega, Catalonia to Scotland-based artists with an interest in creating outdoor arts performances. The successful applicant was Manuela de los Rios, a Dundee-based artist and community organiser, who shares her experience in our latest blog.
My SPASA “baptism” took place on the first night, running and dancing under the never-ending fire and beats of Cervera’s community-led Aquelarre festival.
With my new artist friends from Cataluña, Chile, France, Portugal, Ireland, Netherlands, Lithuania and Scotland, we took to the streets every day. We were surprised by the kindness and generosity of local people whilst we experimented in their neighbourhoods, trying to understand and respond to specific spaces with our collective body, voice and imagination.
We were expertly led by Andrea Paz, Caterina Moroni, Be Flat and Ville en Feu, who shared an impressive range of techniques, approaches and insights from their own experience in street theatre, urban rituals, parkour and contemporary singing and dance in public spaces.
The in-between time and space was also a core part of SPASA – sharing a collective home, the exchange of ideas, opinions and favourite artists whilst we were walking, eating or washing up together– we were all so keen to listen to each other and learn.
All this contributed to a strong sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves, a movement of outdoor artists who love people and places and believe in the power of art to connect and give agency to more diverse audiences and question how our public spaces are used.
Our last weekend together coincided with Fira Tárrega (Outdoor Arts Fair). With our VIP credentials we were able to get a better look into the more commercial side of the sector, with plenty of insider tips and networking opportunities.
I’d thoroughly recommend this experience to anyone interested in outdoor performing arts wanting to explore different approaches and feel inspired and motivated by other extraordinary human beings.
A huge thank you to Angela (Articulation) and Alan (Surge) for giving me this opportunity that has been a boost of energy, inspiration and has challenged me on how I take forward my own practice and plans. Gràcies amics!
About Manuela de los Rios
Manuela de los Rios is a Dundee-based artist and community organiser. Her socially engaged practice and research is focused on regenerative placemaking projects that nurture people and urban nature. Her interactive performances, public installations and experiences are grounded in local skills, stories and collective imagination and making.
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