Anne-Cécile Surga

1987, Foix (Francia)

Presento la mia candidatura come artist in residence presso il Centro internazionale di scultura perché vorrei sviluppare un nuovo ciclo di opere e ho bisogno di un contesto specifico per iniziare il mio progetto. Premetto fin d’ora che sono interessata a una residenza di tre mesi, da maggio a luglio 2023, e che la nuova serie di opere verrà realizzata in marmo con le tecniche della scultura e della saldatura. Non sono in grado di portare avanti questa nuova ricerca nel mio studio in Francia, ed è per questo che ho bisogno di uno spazio adeguato per svilupparla. Tengo inoltre a precisare che ogni mia serie è basata su un marmo specifico: il ciclo Reactivation utilizza il marmo di Carrara, mentre Our Skins è realizzato esclusivamente in marmo rosa portoghese. La serie Black Holes è eseguita con marmi neri di Izaourt che si possono trovare sui Pirenei. Per la nuova serie ho bisogno di un marmo biancastro. Credo che quello di Pescia sia molto adatto ed è per questo che voglio creare un rapporto a lungo termine con la cava e la zona in generale. L’esperienza della pandemia è stata molto utile per la mia ricerca artistica: il fatto di essere isolata per mesi nel mio studio e di aver finito il marmo mi ha permesso di espandermi in nuove direzioni. Sono stata felice di avere la possibilità di uscire dalla mia “comfort zone” durante quel tempo così diverso dal tempo normale. Sto cercando una residenza in un ambiente naturale, dove poter ritrovare questo respiro di libertà, lontano dai vincoli della produzione a cui sono sottoposta in questo momento lavorando per le gallerie. Infine, questa residenza mi interessa in modo particolare perché riguarda specificamente la scultura. Ho partecipato a una residenza a Carrara, incentrata sulla scultura in marmo, e lì ho imparato molto. Un altro aspetto importante è la possibilità di incontrarsi e scambiare idee con altri scultori. In base alla mia esperienza, tutti lavoriamo da soli nel nostro studio e non abbiamo molte occasioni di incontro nella vita reale. Credo sia importante creare un’atmosfera di cameratismo e stimolare il dibattito per dare forma ai concetti su cui si baseranno le sculture del futuro.

Residency Report

During my stay of 3 months at the Centro, I worked on my initial project of trying to shape thoughts interactions in my brains during my creative process. I made three sculptures in this specific research, made in steel and marble. It was an enormous opportunity to be able to make these works: first because the birthofa new series is always a long and difficult process for me. Having the residency to work on them over time allowed me to have the time to reflect a lot on the works while making them. The more I made, the easier it gotof course. Secondly, I am very thankfulfor I had access to the welding studio. Heinz Brehm was extremelyhelpfulin guiding me to get back to welding after so many years. These skills will stay with me I hope, and I am already developingnew ideas for monumental works including marble and steel. I would not be able to think this way and to inventnew way of approaching monumental work without this experience.

In parallel to my initial project, I got interested in recuperating marble powderfrom the cutting of big blocks. Thiswas sustainable researchto find ways of recuperating and reusing waste from the stone industry. As I was developingan interest in stereotomy at the same time, I try to make two archesmade from marblepowder found in the quarry and white concrete. This was a very interesting project, something I never imagined I would have done, but because I was in the residency I had the time, the materials, and also the logistical support to do it. The arches were not 100% functional,but this is to me only the beginning of another lifelong research including stereotomy and the reuse of marble wastes. I still have not find the perfect answer or combination, but I had firsthandexperience withthese concepts, and I can bring this knowledge into future developments.

Finally,I also made a new series of vases in marble. This was apersonalproject that was not planned neither initially. I was going through personal turmoilat that period and I guess I had to find a way to bringthis outside of myself. I am interested in continuing this series as well, but the Peccia marble is not suitable for this project, so I will have to find another marble first.

Overall,I am extremelyhappy I had the opportunity to participate in the 2023 residency. I trulybelieve the Centro is giving all the best support needed for creation, and especially for sculpture, which is not common. The facilities are incredible, all the materials areof the highest quality, it has been a dream to have access to all of this. The same goes for the accommodation,which was absolutely perfect. I came to work on one specificprojectand ended up realizing three. I know I worked a lotand that it mighthave impairedgetting closer tothe other residents, but I came to work. Also, I had affinities with some and less with others, so I stayed closed to the persons I found interesting only. 

During my stay, many people asked me if three months wastoo short of a period or not. I believe three months is a perfect length, and I know I wouldnothavebeenable to commit more than that. I have been struggling to keep up with all the work I didnot do (for galleries and exhibitions) during the residency since august, and it has been a lot of work in the last months.I cannot imagine leaving for a six months residency as the consequences would be too hard on the other commitments for my career. So yes, three months is short, but it is a good period to develop a new (or three) research project. The researchand development I made in Peccia were and still are very important. It allowed me to takea step asidemy “normal”production and to thinkdifferently and explore things. This is very precious, and I will always cherish my time in these mountains.