Las Cicadas presents the 3rd edition of its artist residency in Ibiza
Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Ibiza, the Las Cicadas artist residency has established itself as a hub for creation and connection among artists from diverse disciplines. This initiative, organized by art curator Sarah Suco Torres, Tavis Buschman, and Nora Bullerjahn, blends the serenity of the Mediterranean environment with a collaborative and experimental approach that is redefining the essence of artistic creation.
Site: Lascicadas.com
Address: Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera (Ibiza)
Hours: From January 6 to February 10, 2025
Its mission is to bring together international artists from various backgrounds and disciplines to engage with the natural surroundings, local communities, and the island’s history. The program provides an opportunity for artists worldwide to work in an inspiring and authentic setting, sharing the joie de vivre, the sunshine, and the exchange of ideas.
A unique and authentic setting in a 500-year-old restored Maria
Las Cicadas is housed in a 500-year-old restored masia (traditional farmhouse) that has been transformed into a private villa and artist residency, located just outside the charming village of Santa Gertrudis. Exuding bohemian Ibizan elegance, it is a truly one-of-a-kind location where inspiration is endless.
Surrounded by olive trees, palms, and fruit orchards, the estate features traditional wooden sabina ceilings and limestone whitewashed walls. It offers six spacious bedrooms and interiors adorned with unique finds and curated artworks.
Inclusivity and commitment to interdisciplinarity
What sets Las Cicadas apart from other artist residencies is its inclusivity and dedication to interdisciplinarity.
Each edition selects a diverse group of participants, ranging from painters and sculptors to musicians, writers, and filmmakers. Spontaneous collaborations and communal living are at the heart of the experience.
One of the residency’s highlights is the final showcase, where the artists share the fruits of their stay with the local community.
This public event not only energizes Ibiza’s cultural scene but also strengthens the bond between creators and spectators. “It’s wonderful to see how the people of Ibiza approach contemporary art with curiosity and enthusiasm”, says Suco.
Beyond its immediate impact, Las Cicadas aims to act as a catalyst for reimagining art as a tool for social transformation.
The residency fosters projects addressing current issues such as the environment, migration, and cultural diversity. “We want artists to question their role in the world and for their works to engage with the major challenges of our time”, Suco concludes.
A third edition and six new artists
Each year, between four and six artists are welcomed for a five-week residency. Each resident artist is provided with a private room with an en-suite bathroom, a shared studio, and full access to the estate. The current edition, which concludes on February 10, marks the third installment of the program.
Applications are accepted through an open call, and the final selection considers the diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and approaches that the artists bring to the program.
At the end of each residency, Las Cicadas hosts an open studio event followed by a private dinner.
This time, the participating artists are:
Claudio Coltorti (1989, Naples, Italy)
Claudio’s paintings imagine infinite possibilities where reality and vision expand, suspended between the figurative and the abstract.
The disproportionate shapes of his figures may describe the forces of intimacy.
Kenny Dunkan (1989, Guadeloupe)
Kenny regularly draws on the visual culture of the Caribbean, particularly carnivals, to develop work that addresses French colonial heritage and the persistence of its modes of representation.
Charles Hascoët (1985, Paris, France)
Charles is inspired by historical art allegories, iconic films, and childhood memories to paint nostalgic scenes that exist between reality and imagination.
The artist merges discordant symbols in domestic still lifes, romantic portraits, and dreamlike landscapes to craft fantastical narratives.
Hadrien Gerenton (1987, Lyon, France)
Hadrien found inspiration in Komodo dragons, whose prehistoric forms also influenced his work.
In his exhibitions, lizards and cacti combine in installations that could be described as anti-human, as both actors—the lizard and the cactus—thrive in habitats or time periods where humanity could not survive.
Guillermo Mora (1980, Alcalá de Henares, Spain)
Guillermo cultivates a unique visual vocabulary, creating an abstract mode of communication centered on three concepts: layering, concealment, and disappearance in painting.
His striking compositions build environments through which the artist questions the protocols and processes of contemporary painting.
Giovanni Ozzola (1982, Florence, Italy)
Giovanni‘s thematic focus lies in conceptualizing and representing infinity and exploration, both geographic and introspective.
The artist embraces a multidisciplinary aesthetic, expressing himself through photography, video art, installations, and traditional techniques such as engraving and frescoes.
Acquisition and residency awards by CAN Art
This year, Las Cicadas will collaborate with the CAN Art Fair. The goal is to support contemporary creation, and for the third consecutive year, CAN Art has included the Acquisition and Residency Awards.
In June 2024, Las Cicadas had the pleasure of awarding two prizes to Guillermo Mora (Galería Moisés Pérez Albéniz) and Giovanni Ozzola (Galleria Continua).
Through initiatives like this, Ibiza reaffirms its role as a crucible of creativity and reflection. Las Cicadas not only stands as a testament to the power of art to connect people but also serves as a reminder that, in a frenetic world, beauty and collaboration can be both a refuge and an inspiration for all.
(*) Photographs provided by Sarah Suco Torres. The images of the property are by Ana Lui, and those of the artistic residence are by Valentine Riccardi.
