The event ‘Artistic Practices in Prison Contexts’ is scheduled for October 6 and 7 and aims to “reflect on the role of art projects in prison settings,” according to a statement by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, which is organizing the initiative alongside Acesso Cultura.
“For two days, Gulbenkian’s Auditorium 3 will host artists, prison institution officials, jurists, researchers, and participants in art projects to share experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange learnings about artistic practices conducted with people in confinement,” the statement reads.
On the first day, open to the public, discussions are planned on “the impacts, challenges, and potential” of projects such as RadioAtividade (developed in Guarda), Opera in Prison (Leiria), Trégua (Funchal), Ecoar (Porto), and República do Vento (Montijo).
The discussions will feature participants including former Justice Minister and jurist Francisca Van Dunem, choreographer Filipa Francisco, actor and director Pedro Gil, and Luís Vaz Couto, director of the Guarda Prison.
That day will also see the presentation of the book ‘corpoemcadeia: dança, prisão e gestalt’ by Catarina Câmara, based on the corpoemcadeia project that merges dance practice with Gestalt psychotherapy, implemented at Linhó Prison from 2019 to 2022.
The first day’s program will be broadcast live on the official website of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and will include interpretation into Portuguese Sign Language.
The second day of the event will feature three workshops, aimed at artists who are already developing or wish to develop projects in this area. Participation in the workshops requires prior registration.
