COLOCAO is a word born from the street, used to describe a moment of ecstasy and the act of placing something—or someone. Reimagined by Casa Canera, it means to get high on the addiction to creating art. The exhibition is the result of the pedagogical project of the same name, which seeks to generate artistic training processes from an independent space, proving that alternative platforms can stand on equal footing with institutions. Through an open call, eight emerging artists—preferably from peripheral areas—were selected with the aim of deepening their exploration in the field of visual arts and engaging with contemporary practices through workshops, talks, and labs supported by fifteen artists, educators, and cultural managers.

COLOCAO was funded by the Patronato de Arte Contemporáneo (PAC) and spanned 10 months, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and the creation of an artist community that has, in turn, given rise to the formation of new collectives.

 

 

As part of the curatorial approach, a parallel exhibition is also proposed, showcasing the work of five artists who accompanied the grantees throughout their creative process. PONER LA CASA (Setting the House) opens up a horizontal, transgenerational dialogue with lxs colocao, and makes visible the embodied support of lxs canera—offering their space, management skills, and knowledge to spark imaginaries, provoke processes, and walk alongside new generations. This entire process wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborative vibe and collective joy sparked by the support of Melisa Salazar Carrión, Monserrat Escudero, Eduardo Castillo, Gema López, Alex Pérez, Lucila Zavala Tinajero, Yoliz Yorke, Van Galle, Rodrigo Meneses, Mariana Haro Goñi, Areli Becerril Escobedo, Ivette Gasca, and Rafa Delik Padilla, who gave it their all through mentorship, workshops, talks, and production.

 

Text written collectively by Josué Martínez “Homie” and Alan Castro (Casa Canera), and Selma Guisande, curatorship.