Fundación Casa Wabi celebrates ten years of work on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico. During this time, a community development model through art has been successfully established, creating a profound impact on the region. This exhibition commemorates the convergence of community, art, and nature, shaped through five fundamental programs: residencies and community projects, exhibitions, clay workshops, film, and a mobile library.
The title of the exhibition is based on the essay “Building, Dwelling, Thinking” —written by the renowned German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) and published in 1951—, which emphasizes the importance of construction not only as an act of erecting but fundamentally as an act of dwelling, that is, of being and caring. In line with the concept of dwelling, as construction and communal thought, the essence of the Foundation focuses on art as a catalyst for collective development.
Founded in October 2014 by Bosco Sodi and Lucia Corredor, the Foundation has solidified its mission in strengthening social fabric through exchanges between contemporary artists and members of fifteen coastal communities in Oaxaca. By fostering exchange between these actors, art contributes to strengthening social fabric, promoting creativity and entrepreneurship, and preserving local culture.
The residency and community project program, which has hosted more than three hundred creators and cultural actors from various parts of the world, stands out for its ongoing dialogue, promoting three essential elements for the Foundation’s mission: active exchange with communities, interaction with other artists and the institution’s team, as well as the creative inspiration of the residents. Similarly, the aim is to build a deep relationship with the social groups of the fifteen communities worked with hand in hand:
Agua Zarca Hidalgo San Isidro Llano Grande
Aguaje el Zapote Juquila San José Manialtepec
Bajos de Chila Las Negras San Martín Caballero
Cacalote Puerto Escondido El Venado
Cerro Hermoso Río Grande Zapotalito
The exhibition is structured into five sections: “Community at Home,” “Community in Action,” “Community as Inspiration,” “Creative Community,” and “Wabi House in Your School.” In each section, a careful selection of works intertwines with creations arising from the experiences of resident artists and their commitment to the communities, forming a tapestry of artistic expression and human collaboration.
Curated by Alberto Ríos de la Rosa and Juan Pino Poliakoff.
