Sep 3, 2024
The ALTTRA Foundation
- By
Blaire Dessent
The ALTTRA Foundation
Sep 3, 2024
by
Blaire Dessent
The ALTTRA Foundation
Sep 3, 2024
by
Blaire Dessent
The ALTTRA Foundation
Sep 3, 2024
- By
Blaire Dessent
The ALTTRA Foundation
Sep 3, 2024
- By
Blaire Dessent
sustainability
The ALTTRA Foundation
Sep 3, 2024
- By
Blaire Dessent
O

n August 22nd, the ALTTRA Foundation, an exciting new contemporary art initiative in Mallorca, announced the appointment of Clara Garau as Executive Director, as well as its 2024 fall programming schedule, at a press conference held at the Estudi General Lul.lià in Palma. The primary mission of the non-profit ALTTRA Foundation is to promote contemporary art in the Balearic Islands and place it at the centre of the lives of its inhabitants and visitors. Through workshops, exhibitions, residencies, production of artworks and other related activities, the ALTTRA Foundation offers a new voice and a reaffirmation of the value of contemporary art and culture on the Balearic Islands, not only in developing the importance of art and culture but in connection to related issues faced by the islands. As co-founder Rosario Nadal explained, “ALTTRA takes on the challenge of attracting artists by proposing a series of themes that we believe are relevant: tourism, water scarcity, young people, and changes in customs."

Cildo Meireles, photo: Bruno Daureo
Abraham Cruzvillegas, photo: Brian du Halgouet
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orking with local and international artists, ALTTRA seeks to create and present works of art that generate unique experiences in urban, historical, rural, industrial, or rugged contexts—inside buildings, in public spaces, or in the landscape. ALTRRA is a private initiative led by four art professionals, each with a distinctive focus and background: Clara Garau, the Executive Director, who specialises in producing works with artists and designers; independent curator and writer, Bartomeu Mari; Blanca Cortés, a lawyer specialising in intellectual property/art law and a partner at the firm ThinkSmartLaw; and Rosario Nadal, a consultant and advisor on acquisitions and collection management for museums and contemporary art collections. 

As Blanca Cortés explained, "ALTTRA was conceived during the 2020 lockdown and began its journey in 2022 with the exhibition 'Not Today' by Mexican artist Teresa Margolles at the Mallorcan headquarters of COAIB." Last May, it held its first educational workshop focused on alternative and emotional imaginaries to the tourist monoculture in the Balearic Islands. The "Land Policies Workshop: Insularities," a proposal by Marta Jonville and Tomas Matauko, became an invitation to create new images and narratives around the issue of insularity in the context of the climate crisis.

Thanks in part to the generous support of the Thomas and Doris Ammann Foundation, ALTTRA will present a series of important exhibitions and events this fall.  Abraham Cruzvillegas will lead the “Self-Composition Workshop” in Palma from October 14 to 18, where participants will write song lyrics based on personal experiences. The main objective of the project is to raise awareness and visibility of the diversity that characterises contemporary societies, exploring both the differences and similarities among people. These narratives will facilitate discussions about the circumstances surrounding us, which can be the happiest, but can also be complicated or even sad. However, by transforming them into songs, they become something with which others can identify and take ownership. As part of the collective commitment, a publication will be made that includes the lyrics written by all participants, documenting the group experience.

Founders of Alttra Foundation, Photo: Bruno Daureo