A Geography of Colour
“A landscape is not defined by the unreachable point where land meets sky. It is defined by the matter that lies under our feet.”
The retreat aims to foster creative reflection on color, materiality, and locality through harvesting and painting with natural pigments.
Activities include exploring the island with a focus on color and guided workshops to inspire artistic creation.
Participants will keep a color diary, collecting colors linked to the island, such as plants, stones, or local designs. This encourages a fresh perspective on color and materiality to inspire paintings connected to Lanzarote.
For who?
Every person and artist who is exploring, or wants to explore colour, based on the geography, culture and diversity of one of the world’s most inspiring islands: Lanzarote.
Workshops to be expected
How process mineral pigments into paint. Introduction to grinding sifting and cataloguing
How process organic pigments into paint. An introduction to the basic organic and chemic processes behind it.
Painting workshops
technique
Introduction to color theory
how to work with structure
thinking beyond the canvas
Field trips
Visit to the studio of Cesar Manrique
Visits to cultural heritage sites & natural highlights
Visit to a taller or workshop of a local artist
About Zeno Aerts
In his artistic practice Zeno Aerts investigates the relationship between colour, materiality, and locality. By working with organic pigments from the land and shifting the scope from the distant to our direct surroundings, he opens the possibility for new ways to experience our environment and our place in it. As an environmentally engaged designer/ artist, Zeno has developed a philosophical sensibility to both existential human subjects and the natural world. Because he comes from a design oriented background, he can rely on a broad material knowledge to push for unique results in his art.
Hektor: a place of little wonders
Contemporary art and design meet the charm of an old Canarian farm brought back to life. Since 2021 Hektor’s owners have work relentlessly to renovate the farmhouse and regenerate the land.
In quiet village, centrally located on the island, this 20.000m2 terraced estate starts to rise as a green oasis. With over 300 new trees and bushes, an extensive permaculture vegetable garden and a herd of rescue farm animals, the farm reminds of the old days of the island.
At the same time, its comfortable suites full of art - from the personal collection as well as contributions of artists that resided at the farm - are an inspiration to every visitor.
All meals served at Hektor are plant based and homemade, mostly with produce from the organic garden.
An inspirational achievement
Shaun Fraser, artist in residence 2024
The program
day 1
arrival & tour of the farm, introduction to the program, workshop, breakfast, lunch & dinner
day 2
workshop, island discovery trip, breakfast lunch & dinner
day 3
workshop, visit to el Casa/Museo Del Campesino and the Cesar Manrique foundation, breakfast, lunch & dinner
day 4
workshop, hike in the north, breakfast, lunch & dinner
day 5
workshop, visit to Jameos del Agua and/or Mirador del Rio, breakfast, lunch & dinner
Optional extra nights (prior to start of retreat or after retreat)
