Since December 15, 2022, Islands – Myth and Reality, an artistic residency program supported by various French and Mauritian players in the fields of culture, arts and heritage, has been taking place in Mahébourg.
On Wednesday December 14, the ESCALE global artists’ collective, founded and led by Mauritian Amanullah Soobhany, unveiled its fourth artistic residency project in Mauritius.
Better known as Manou, the project’s creator confides: “Islands have been the muse of many authors, poets and artists. They continue to inspire mystery, fantasy and imagination. So what better place than Mauritius, an archipelago republic, to explore the myths and realities surrounding insularity!”
The forty artists gathered at the Pointe Jérôme youth center in Mahébourg hail from several Indian Ocean islands (including Mauritius, of course), but also from countries on every continent: Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and America: Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, America… We should also mention the presence of a dozen Mauritian art students.
To immerse themselves in the rich local history, the ESCALE collective went out to meet not only local residents, but also primary and secondary school pupils in workshops, children with disabilities, and members of the public invited to talk to the artists and discover the stages of their work. In the streets of Mahébourg and the surrounding area, in Port-Louis, on Île au Phare and Île de la Passe… these exchanges undoubtedly nourished their creativity!
The vernissage will take place on the evening of January 12, 2022 at the Mahébourg National History Museum, and will be accompanied by music and dance performances – disciplines introduced exclusively by Manou – as well as a concert at the Caudan Arts Centre on January 13.
The exhibition of paintings, sculptures and other works created during the residency will be open to the public until March 27, 2023.
February’s Gazette Mag will devote two pages to the event in its Culture section, and tell you all about the work accomplished by the incredible artists of the ESCALE collective.
