Laboratories in Curating and Exhibition Production

The “Training Laboratories in Soft Curating and Exhibition Installation in Variable Spaces” build on earlier experiences in the Colombian art context: the exhibition cycle Intervenciones, Fragilidad, Emergencia, Tránsito, Portátil and DACR, held at the Art Museum of the National University of Colombia by Gustavo Zalamea (Soft Curating); the exhibitions in variable spaces proposed between 2003 and 2010 by Galería Alcuadrado, mainly in Bogotá, Cali and Medellín; and the “Agente-Cultural” promoter model, implemented by La Productora Agencia en Artes in late 2010 to raise funds through digital pre-sales and finance self-sustaining artistic production.

Recognising the conceptual and logistical strength of these experiences (mobility, independence, self-management) and the characteristics of the selected cities (Pasto / Popayán / Buenaventura / Cartago), the project proposed a single touring laboratory model for these cities, chosen for their public culture of participation in the arts, the scarce or absent presence of state institutions promoting exhibitions (museums, cultural centres), and limited involvement of commercial galleries and collectors to support the sustainability of artistic production.