On August 13, 2019, a meeting between the Uruguayan artist Alfalfa and local residents was held in Almetyevsk. The event took place in an informal atmosphere: in the courtyard of houses near Herzen Street. It was in this place that the artist was going to create his large-scale mural
«Mrs. Gusinya: tradition and freedom / Kazbikә: goref-gadәt hәm irek».
Active interaction between residents and artists is an important step in the public art program. This way citizens can feel their participation in the creative processes around them and take part in the transformation of the city.
For artists, it is important to understand how local people live: what inspires them and what contexts they find themselves in. The thing is that at the heart of each art object is one or another idea that comes from local cultural traditions and ways of life. It is through Tatar hospitality and communication that the artists of the public art program get acquainted with the local cultural code, which undoubtedly influences their future works.
Nicholas Sanchez is no exception. He happily interacted with residents right in the courtyard of the house where he created his work. Here's one participant's impression of the meeting.